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Iran halts U.S. talks until Israel stops Lebanon airstrikes

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Iran announced it will halt negotiations with the United States until Israel ceases its airstrikes on Lebanon.
  • Tehran stated that a comprehensive ceasefire, including Lebanon, was a precondition for dialogue, and any violation invalidates the agreement.
  • The decision follows Israel's intensified strikes in Lebanon, impacting ongoing U.S.-Iran talks aimed at a potential truce.

Iran has declared a halt to its negotiations with the United States, citing Israel's ongoing airstrikes on Lebanon as a violation of a ceasefire precondition. The Iranian negotiation team, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, stated that the cessation of attacks on Lebanon was one of the conditions for a truce. Given that this truce has been breached on all fronts, including Lebanon, Iran will suspend "dialogue and exchange of documents through mediation."

The cessation of attacks on Lebanon was one of the conditions for a truce. Given that this truce has been breached on all fronts, including Lebanon, Iran will suspend 'dialogue and exchange of documents through mediation.'

— Iranian negotiation teamStated reason for halting negotiations with the U.S.

The negotiation team emphasized that dialogue will not resume until Iran and its allied resistance forces' demands are met. These demands include an immediate end to Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, and a complete withdrawal from occupied territories. The agency also reported that Iran has resolved to activate other fronts, including the complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key energy route in the Red Sea.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. was intended to be comprehensive, covering all fronts including Lebanon. He stated that any violation on one front constitutes a violation on all fronts, holding the U.S. and Israel responsible for the consequences. This decision appears to be a significant blow to the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations for a potential memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending the conflict.

The ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. was intended to be comprehensive, covering all fronts including Lebanon. Any violation on one front constitutes a violation on all fronts, holding the U.S. and Israel responsible for the consequences.

— Abbas AraghchiIranian Foreign Minister clarifying the terms of the ceasefire and the implications of its violation.

The escalation of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon has negatively impacted these talks. Reports suggest the draft MOU included provisions for a cessation of hostilities across all fronts, encompassing Lebanon, where Hezbollah is active. The Israeli military, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's directive on May 25, has expanded operations beyond existing control lines against Hezbollah, reportedly capturing the strategic stronghold of 'Bofor Castle' on May 31. Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to attacking Hezbollah strongholds, including in Dahyeh, a Shia Muslim residential area south of Beirut.

Hezbollah will never be a sanctuary for the terrorist headquarters in Dahyeh while they attack our cities and citizens.

— Benjamin NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister ordering continued attacks on Hezbollah strongholds.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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