Iran’s top envoy says peace deal with the US dependent on Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon

Iran's acting foreign minister has stated that a durable end to the war in the Middle East is conditional upon the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied during the current conflict. The remarks come amid ongoing international diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the regional crisis.

Ali Bagheri Kani, who serves as Tehran's top diplomat, articulated his country's position on a potential resolution. "Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end," he said in a statement.

The comments underscore Iran's stance that a return to the status quo before the recent escalation is a prerequisite for any lasting peace agreement. Officials have specifically pointed to the situation on the Lebanon-Israel border, where near-daily exchanges of fire have displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides and raised fears of a wider conflict.

Withdrawal as a condition

Tehran's demand for a withdrawal is seen as a key condition for reining in allied groups in the region, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran has consistently linked the cessation of cross-border attacks by its allies to an end to hostilities in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied land.

The statement was made as negotiators continue to work on proposals for a ceasefire and a broader political settlement. The diplomatic track has faced significant hurdles, with public disagreements among the primary parties over the fundamental terms of a potential deal, including the timeline for a truce and the framework for post-war governance.