Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated that the initiation of negotiations to end the ongoing conflict hinges on the United States’ adherence to its ceasefire commitments, particularly regarding Lebanon.
Baghaei emphasized that these obligations encompass a ceasefire in Lebanon, despite assertions from the U.S. and Israel that such a condition was not part of any agreement. He condemned the extensive Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, resulted in over 300 fatalities on Wednesday.
Israeli forces reported targeting more than 100 command centers and military facilities associated with Hezbollah. Baghaei remarked, “Ending the war in Lebanon is an integral part of the ceasefire agreement proposed by Pakistan, and as clearly stated by the Prime Minister of that country, the U.S. committed to halting the conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon.”
Prior to these developments, U.S. President Donald Trump, in a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urged him to scale back military operations in Lebanon and to prioritize negotiations.
Furthermore, several European capitals have expressed outrage over the recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which have led to significant civilian casualties, with hundreds dead and nearly a thousand injured. Reports from Iran indicate a potential shift away from the agreement with the U.S. should Israel persist with its military actions in Lebanon.
Iran's Foreign Ministry has linked the possibility of peace negotiations to U.S. compliance with ceasefire commitments in Lebanon. This comes amid escalating Israeli military actions that have resulted in significant civilian casualties.