Israel to remain in Lebanon, vows retaliation against Iran if attacked

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon, asserting the country's continued presence in the region.

Katz issued a stern warning to Iran, stating, "If Iran attacks Israel because of the events in Lebanon, we will attack them." He further noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has communicated this stance to U.S. President Donald Trump and other high-ranking American officials.

This declaration comes as the United States and Iran announced a ceasefire agreement concerning Lebanon. Israel, however, was not a party to this agreement. The specifics of the U.S.-Iran deal, which reportedly includes a halt to hostilities in Lebanon, were not fully detailed in the provided text, but it is slated for official signing in Switzerland on Friday, June 19.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide commented on the U.S.-Iran agreement, calling it "an important step towards a final peace solution." He emphasized the critical need for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open for traffic, warning that its continued closure threatened severe consequences for the global economy. Eide also mentioned that the agreement should adhere to the law of the sea.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that an agreement between Iran and the U.S. was in place, with both parties declaring a cessation of all military operations, including in Lebanon. He stated the official signing would occur in Switzerland on June 19. Pakistan has played a mediating role in the dispute. Reports also indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump was planning to make a statement regarding the agreement.

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Det er avgjørende at Hormuzstredet nå igjen blir åpnet for trafikk, sier utenriksminister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) til NTB.– Stredet må forblir åpent uten begrensninger, i tråd med havretten. En fortsatt stengning truet med enda mer alvorlige konsekvenser for hele verdensøkonomien, sier Eide.