Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared that ‘Israel’s’ ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory constitutes a blatant breach of the upcoming Tehran-Washington memorandum of understanding, holding the United States directly accountable for compelling Tel Aviv to halt its aggression.
Speaking at the opening of a meeting with ambassadors, chargés d’affaires, and heads of foreign and international missions in Tehran on Tuesday, Araghchi stressed that the end of the war in Lebanon is an inseparable part of the complete end of the war, noting that ending the war on Lebanon also includes ending the occupation of Lebanese territory.
Araghchi said that, from now on, any military attack by “Israel” on Lebanon, as well as the continuation of the occupation of Lebanese territories, will be considered a violation of the MoU.
According to Araghchi, the heads of the two delegations from the US and Iran will first sign the memorandum of understanding on Friday before the inaugural round of formal negotiations begins.
In separate telephone conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday, Araghchi briefed the Lebanese leadership on the MoU’s clauses particularly those safeguarding Lebanon and insisted that all attacks must come to “a complete halt
The United States and ‘Israel’ launched their unprovoked aggression against Iran on February 28, during which the Israeli regime simultaneously escalated its deadly strikes on Lebanon. Those attacks flagrantly violated both a standing ceasefire with Beirut and a Pakistan-mediated truce between Tehran and Washington an agreement that explicitly extends to the Lebanese front.
Iran has repeatedly maintained that any credible ceasefire with the US must encompass all fronts without exception, describing Lebanon’s security as indivisible from broader regional peace. Throughout the American-Israeli campaign, which persisted until April 7, Iran’s armed forces delivered decisive responses to the allies’ offensives and to Tel Aviv’s repeated ceasefire violations on Lebanese soil.
On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the MoU has been finalized and will be officially signed in Switzerland this Friday. Araghchi underscored that the Islamic Republic remains steadfast in its efforts to end the aggression against Lebanon, reiterating that the United States must apply sufficient pressure on the Israeli regime to halt its violations and uphold its end of the bargain.
For their part, Lebanese President Aoun and Speaker Berri warmly welcomed the provisions of the understanding, affirming that Lebanon’s stability and security are inseparable pillars of any serious endeavor to restore lasting peace and equilibrium across the region.
Source: Iranian media (edite dby Al-Manar)