Iranian pressure may lead to a Lebanon ceasefire, but Israeli actions and disputes over terms threaten its immediate viability.
Key Developments
- Iranian source says Lebanon ceasefire expected to begin tonight.
- Proposed truce to last one week alongside US-Iran ceasefire.
- Tehran warns Netanyahu may act to derail agreement.
- Iran insists Lebanon central to broader regional de-escalation talks.
Ceasefire Proposal
Citing a high-ranking Iranian political and security source, Al Mayadeen reported on Wednesday that, following sustained Iranian pressure, a ceasefire in Lebanon is expected to be declared starting tonight.
According to the source, the proposed ceasefire would last for one week and is designed to run parallel to the ongoing ceasefire period between Iran and the United States, suggesting a broader regional de-escalation framework rather than an isolated Lebanese arrangement.
The same source warned, however, that the situation remains fragile.
“It is possible that Netanyahu, as a disruptive element, will act again to thwart this agreement,” the source said, adding that Tehran views Washington as ultimately responsible for restraining Israel.
“We will deal with Washington as the partner sponsor of the occupation and the one responsible for restraining Netanyahu,” the source reportedly said.
Reinforcing this position, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei stated on Wednesday that “Iran will never abandon Lebanon,” emphasizing that a ceasefire there remains a central item on the negotiation agenda.
Israeli Position and Ongoing Violations
On the Israeli side, KAN cited an Israeli source confirming that discussions are indeed underway regarding a potential ceasefire with Lebanon, according to Al Mayadeen.
A ceasefire in Lebanon was included in the initial understandings reached between Washington and Tehran.
Israeli officials have denied that Iran is a party to any ceasefire arrangement concerning Lebanon, framing the talks instead as indirect understandings mediated primarily through Washington.
On April 8, hours after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Israel bombed over 100 sites in Lebanon, killing and wounding hundreds of civilians.
Iranian officials later confirmed that Lebanon was a core issue during the Islamabad talks, insisting that any broader de-escalation must also include Lebanon.
This came amid clear Israeli violations of that clause, despite initial agreement among the parties.
(PC, Al Mayadeen)
