Iran Links US Peace to Cessation of Israeli-Lebanese Conflict

Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has emphasized that any potential peace agreement between Tehran and Washington hinges on the cessation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Highlighting Iran's support for Hezbollah, Khamenei reiterated that the safeguarding of Lebanon's territorial integrity is a non-negotiable precondition for diplomatic progress with the United States.

This stance was articulated as Khamenei expressed solidarity with both Hezbollah and the people of southern Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have intensified. He underscored Iran's strategic commitment to the defense of Hezbollah, framing it as a moral imperative for the Islamic Republic amid the ongoing hostilities.

The context of these declarations coincides with a temporary suspension of hostilities and a potential diplomatic thaw between Tehran and Washington. However, the collapse of a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding has introduced new complexities, particularly involving Israeli military withdrawals and Hezbollah's disarmament.