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Iran warns US deal impossible if commitments in Lebanon unmet

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Iran's chief negotiator warned that progress with the United States is impossible if Washington fails to uphold its commitments in Lebanon.
  • The negotiator cited recent Israeli airstrikes in Beirut as evidence of U.S. inability or unwillingness to fulfill its obligations.
  • The comments come amid reports of an imminent, albeit virtual, peace agreement between Iran and the U.S. to end a war that began Feb. 28.

Iran's top peace negotiator, Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf, issued a stark warning that any potential agreement with the United States is contingent on Washington honoring its commitments, particularly concerning Lebanon. Qalibaf, who also serves as the speaker of Iran's parliament, stated on X that it is "impossible to talk about moving forward" if the U.S. lacks the "will or the capacity" to fulfill its promises.

He pointed to recent Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's Dahye neighborhood, a stronghold of Hezbollah, as proof of America's failure. "The 'good cop, bad cop' tactic has become obsolete," Qalibaf asserted, suggesting the U.S. cannot expect concessions by tacitly approving Israeli actions.

If you lack the will or the capacity to fulfill your commitments, it is impossible to talk about moving forward.

— Mohamad Baqer QalibafIran's chief negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf, stated this on X, referring to the U.S. failure to uphold commitments in Lebanon.

The remarks surface as Iran and the U.S. reportedly near a "virtual" memorandum of understanding to end a war that began on February 28. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously announced an agreement was imminent, though Iran indicated it would be finalized in the "coming days." The timing of Qalibaf's warning, coinciding with renewed Israeli attacks on Beirut that killed at least two people, highlights the volatile geopolitical landscape surrounding the potential peace deal.

The 'good cop, bad cop' tactic has become obsolete.

— Mohamad Baqer QalibafQalibaf criticized the U.S. approach to the conflict, suggesting it cannot gain concessions by allowing Israeli actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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