US-Iran deal cites Lebanon's 'territorial integrity' but sidesteps explicit 'withdrawal'

The United States and Iran have struck an interim deal aimed at ending their regional war, a move that will reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz and bring the two adversaries back to the negotiating table regarding Tehran's nuclear program. A key immediate benefit for Iran is the freedom to sell its oil once more, according to details released by both nations. This agreement effectively returns both sides to a similar position as three and a half months prior, before the conflict escalated.

The deal initiates a 60-day negotiation period, with the overarching question being whether U.S. President Donald Trump can secure a more favorable outcome than the 2015 nuclear accord he previously abandoned. Trump and Vice President JD Vance digitally signed the agreement over the weekend, with Trump later signing a physical copy during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. In Tehran, President Masoud Pezeshkian formally signed the deal, as reported by the state-run IRNA news agency.

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Without the U.S., there would be no Israel.

Central to the agreement is a call for an end to the war in Lebanon, where Israel has been engaged in conflict with Hezbollah. However, neither Israel nor Hezbollah are direct signatories to this U.S.-Iran accord. Iran maintains that Israel must withdraw from occupied southern Lebanon, a demand not explicitly stated in the interim deal, which instead affirms a commitment to Lebanon's "territorial integrity." Israel has indicated its troops will remain, while Hezbollah vows continued resistance until a full withdrawal.

Strained U.S.-Israeli relations are a significant backdrop, with Israel excluded from the negotiations and facing criticism from its own political spectrum regarding the deal. Trump has openly expressed displeasure with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even calling him "crazy" and warning that Israeli actions in Beirut jeopardized the agreement. At the G7 summit, Trump emphasized the U.S. role in Israel's existence and urged Netanyahu to be more responsible regarding Lebanon, placing the Israeli leader in a difficult position ahead of national elections.

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Netanyahu has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.