Iran presses US to ensure Israel’s compliance with Lebanon ceasefire
Iran demands Washington guarantee Israel adheres to the Lebanon ceasefire deal, while continued Israeli strikes raise doubts about the truce’s durability.
Iran has stated it is ready to move forward with diplomacy with the United States, but insists Washington must ensure Israel complies with the agreement to end hostilities. Tehran repeatedly emphasizes the deal must cover the entire region, including Lebanon.
A US official told Reuters that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon, despite reports of ongoing Israeli attacks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US has a “commitment and responsibility” to uphold the deal on all fronts.
Analysts weigh in: Muhanad Seloom of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies views Lebanon as “a test” of US leverage over Israel. “If the United States is not able to stop Israel from attacking Lebanon,” he said, “who will guarantee that in the future Israel won’t attack Iran itself?” Former US official Mark Kimmitt warned it is “very, very unwise” for Iran to tie a Lebanon ceasefire to a broader deal, as neither side fully controls its allies. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group believes the memorandum of understanding will hold, but turning it into a broader agreement is “very difficult” within the 60-day timeframe.
The Trump administration is reportedly frustrated with Israel, pushing for a “complete ceasefire on all fronts”, while Israeli forces continue strikes and ground operations in Lebanon. Analysts say Lebanon remains the deal’s greatest vulnerability, with Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute arguing Tehran is “not joking” about its demand for a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.
Next week, on June 23 and 25, the US will host new talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington aimed at achieving “lasting peace”. The US describes direct negotiations as the only viable path to Lebanon’s reconstruction, though Hezbollah rejects the talks and disagreements over disarmament persist.
Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire took effect, casting doubt on the truce’s viability. The deal, brokered by Qatar, the US and Iran, was intended to prevent the Lebanon conflict from undermining wider peace efforts, but the immediate continuation of attacks highlights its fragility.
