Iran Demands Lebanon Included in Any U.S.-Israel Ceasefire

Iran has communicated to intermediaries that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement with the United States and Israel, according to six regional sources familiar with Tehran's position.

“Iran's Press TV on Wednesday cited an Iranian official saying Tehran wanted any deal with the United States to secure an end to the war both on Iran and other "resistance groups" in the region”

Deccan Chronicle

Iran is explicitly linking an end to the war with a halt to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, creating a significant complicating factor in ceasefire negotiations.

Deccan Chronicle

Iranian officials have emphasized through state media that any deal with the United States must secure an end to the war against both Iran and other 'resistance groups' in the region.

Tehran has maintained that it is still considering a U.S. proposal to end the regional war that has raged for nearly a month, indicating that Iran has not yet completely rejected it.

Hezbollah, Iran's most powerful regional proxy founded by the Revolutionary Guards in 1982, is viewed by Tehran as essential to its regional influence and protection.

Iran has provided 'Iranian guarantees' to Hezbollah that it would be included in any broader agreement, with regional sources indicating Tehran prioritizes Lebanon and 'will not accept Israeli violations in Lebanon as happened after the 2024 ceasefire.'

Global Banking & Finance Review

Iranian officials see Hezbollah's protection as crucial to maintaining their strategic position in the region, particularly as the group has suffered heavy blows from Israel in 2024 and faces unprecedented demands from the Lebanese government to disarm and ban its military activities.

The inclusion of Lebanon in ceasefire talks represents Iran's attempt to strengthen Hezbollah's political position amid the ongoing conflict.

Israel has firmly rejected Iran's demand, stating that 'Israel has not conducted and is not conducting negotiations with the Iranian terrorist regime' and describing the Hezbollah and Iran fronts as unconnected.

“Iran has told mediators that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement with the United States and Israel, six regional sources familiar with Iran's position told Reuters, linking the end of the war to a halt to Israel's offensive against Hezbollah”

KOHA.net

Israeli officials maintain that the two fronts are separate and unrelated, with a source familiar with Israeli military strategy indicating that Israeli attacks on Hezbollah will likely continue after the air war with Iran.

The Israeli position reflects their view that Iran's 'brokerage activities' and Hezbollah's disarmament are 'crucial to ensuring peace and stability in Lebanon and across the region,' according to a senior official in US President Donald Trump's administration.

This stance creates a significant obstacle to any ceasefire agreement that would require Israel to halt operations against Hezbollah.

The inclusion of Lebanon in ceasefire negotiations has heightened long-standing tensions between Hezbollah and other religious and political factions in Beirut, where the group's decision to enter the war has exacerbated existing political turmoil.

Lebanese authorities claim that since March 2, Israeli strikes have killed over 1,000 people and displaced over a million, creating a severe humanitarian crisis in the country.

The Sunday Guardian

The Lebanese foreign ministry has declared Iran's ambassador-designate persona non grata, a move condemned by Hezbollah and other leading Shiite Muslim figures in the country who say the envoy should stay.

A foreign official in Beirut familiar with Hezbollah's position indicated that the group hopes an Iranian-backed ceasefire would help it strengthen its political position in Lebanon, further complicating the regional dynamics of the conflict.