According to The Times of Israel, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghae warned on June 18 that if the Israeli Defense Forces continued to station in southern Lebanon, the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States would become invalid. Currently, Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon are still engaged in combat operations.
US-Iran negotiators originally scheduled their first round of talks for the 19th in Switzerland. According to an insider, due to continuous Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, Iran’s negotiation delegation has postponed its trip to Switzerland.
In an interview with Lebanese media, Baggae emphasized that Israel's continuous attacks constitute a violation of the memorandum of understanding signed between Italy and the United States this week.
The memorandum stipulates that both parties must finalize the final agreement within a 60-day negotiation period. However, Baghae made it clear that as long as Israel continues to target Hezbollah, any progress in the negotiations will not be possible.
He emphasized that the negotiations aim to reach a final agreement, and the only prerequisite for the final agreement to be implemented is the full implementation of the memorandum of understanding. In Iran’s view, this means that all military attacks must cease completely, and the state of occupation must end entirely.
He accused Israel of being unwilling to create space for easing the situation in the region through any diplomatic channels. The United States has the responsibility to urge Israel to comply with this memorandum.
American Vice President Williams criticized Israel for showing 'strange panic' and 'hysteria' towards the memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran on the 18th. He accused Israel of lacking trust in the United States.
A senior official close to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed to Reuters that Israel is conducting “stiff” negotiations with the United States regarding the deployment of troops in Lebanon.
The official stated that the armed conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah continues, and Israel has no intention of stepping back from its position.
On the 18th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli military will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, and will continue to maintain a military presence in the ‘safe zone’ of southern Lebanon according to Israel’s security needs.
Bagheer said: “We will never abandon the Lebanese brothers. As long as part of Lebanon remains under occupation, there can be no talk of a ceasefire. As long as the occupation continues, this war will not truly end.”
Lebanese President Fuad Sallouhi stated in a statement on the 18th that this round of conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has caused damage to nearly 18% of Lebanese territory, with over 3,500 people losing their lives.
