Regional sources reported to Reuters that Iran informed mediators that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement with the United States and Israel, which clarifies linking the path of calm in the region to developments on the Lebanese front.
The sources stated that Tehran made it a condition for stopping the war to end the Israeli attack on Hezbollah, stressing that the party had obtained Iranian guarantees to include it in any broader agreement.
On the other hand, an American official stated that ending the activities of groups affiliated with Iran and disarming Hezbollah is a prerequisite for ensuring stability in Lebanon and the region, while a source familiar with the Israeli strategy stated that attacks on Hezbollah may continue even after the end of the war with Iran.
In a notable escalation in Washington’s tone, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt confirmed that US President Donald Trump is ready to strike “more severe” strikes against Iran if it does not acknowledge what she described as its “military defeat.”
Levitt explained that Trump “is not bluffing” and is ready for a strong confrontation, warning that Iran’s continuation on this path will lead to a greater escalation than any previous strike.
This comes at a time when the US-Israeli war on Iran is entering its fourth week, amid diplomatic movements led by several countries, including Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, in an attempt to push towards negotiations to stop the fighting, with a state of ambiguity regarding the place and timing of these negotiations.
In a related context, Reuters quoted a high-ranking Iranian official as saying that Tehran is still studying the American proposal to end the war, despite providing an initial, non-positive response, which indicates that the door to negotiation has not been closed permanently.
