Iranian foreign minister highlights ending war in Lebanon as top priority in US agreement

Speaking with diplomats in Tehran, Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned that any further Israeli strikes on Lebanon or ongoing occupation of its land would breach the understanding reached with the United States.

"The key matter to stress is that we see two sides to this memorandum, with America and Israel on one and Iran along with Hezbollah on the other," Araghchi stated.

"This stands as perhaps the central matter in the memorandum, namely an immediate and lasting halt to fighting across all areas including Lebanon," he added while noting that Tehran and Washington plan to open fresh discussions on Friday in Switzerland.

The session follows the signing of the memorandum in Geneva during a formal event with US vice president JD Vance and lead Iranian negotiator Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf.

Although Israeli operations in Lebanon have eased since the outline US-Iran framework emerged, experts view a complete stop as improbable.

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu declared that forces would remain in occupied Lebanese areas despite the truce and stressed the need to shield northern communities from Hezbollah attacks.

Israel claims to target Hezbollah positions yet often strikes civilians and infrastructure in southern Lebanon with little restraint. With Iran linking Lebanon to its US talks, Netanyahu has had to heed input from Washington to some degree.

Hezbollah praised Iran for securing a significant win in the pact, which it said might bring full recovery of territory and release of detainees.

While welcoming the accord, the group reaffirmed its resolve to confront Israel until complete pullout occurs.

Key updates

Recent: Iranian foreign minister calls Lebanon ceasefire the main focus in US deal
Earlier: JD Vance calls US-Iran memorandum a very general document

Gaza health authorities reported at least five deaths and eight injuries from Israeli strikes across the area in the last day.

Officials note 997 fatalities since the truce with Hamas began in October 2025.

They add that 73,008 people, many women and children, have died in attacks since October 2023 following the initial Hamas assault that killed about 1,200 and took 251 hostage.

Guardian security correspondent Jason Burke analyzed how the temporary US-Iran accord sidesteps deeper regional problems, with many foreseeing renewed instability. An excerpt follows.

The temporary accord mainly commits both parties to continued discussions while requiring Washington to end its naval blockade and allowing Tehran to permit open shipping through the strait of Hormuz, a route handling a fifth of global oil and gas supplies that Iran had closed early in the conflict.
Despite Israeli objections, a Lebanon ceasefire forms part of the interim deal and holds for now.
Yet such pauses mean little currently, as experts note with Gaza as evidence where nearly 1,000 Palestinians have died since the Trump-brokered halt last year. Israel controls over 60 percent of the area, Hamas retains arms, and little progress has occurred on later phases including major rebuilding.
"Gaza shows the pattern. The agreement ignored past crimes, current disarmament needs, and future paths to a viable state," said Alia Brahimi of the Atlantic Council. "It allows cover for ongoing aims including military ones."

Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi indicated initial US talks will address the strait of Hormuz status, the naval blockade, and rebuilding efforts.

Later stages will cover Iran nuclear activities and sanctions relief expected in a final pact.

An estimated 24 billion dollars in frozen Iranian funds will be unfrozen in four stages under the deal, according to a source cited by Israeli paper Haaretz.

Release depends on Iran permitting toll-free strait access and meeting nuclear discussion terms.

A Pakistani contact noted funds might flow under economic aid labels such as mine clearance in the strait to ease acceptance.

Iran Mehr agency reported 12 billion dollars released before talks start.

It referenced a 14-point memorandum calling for 24 billion dollars over the 60-day negotiation window after signing. Full text remains private with differing accounts from both sides.

US vice president JD Vance rejected claims of billions in assets on Monday. He told CBS Mornings the 24 billion figure appears nowhere in discussed texts.

"We are open to items on the table but that amount is not part of them," Vance said. "We will discuss unfreezing assets but a larger issue is lifting sanctions if long-term nuclear commitments are made."

JD Vance acknowledges US-Iran memorandum as very general document

Welcome to ongoing Guardian coverage of developments around the expected framework signing in days.

The US memorandum with Iran is a very general document, vice president JD Vance said, noting that details require further negotiation.

"The MoU is about a page and a half so it is very general," Vance said on CNN. "Many issues will need resolution in the technical phase."

His remarks follow Republican calls for more details, with some on Capitol Hill voicing doubts.

"I do not know enough," Senate majority leader John Thune told reporters. "Even close followers lack full information."

The Sunday-announced accord to end fighting centers on reopening the strait and ending the blockade plus incentives if benchmarks are met.

Vance added that nuclear inspectors will return to Iran under the pact.

"A core element is that the IAEA and United States will help destroy the enriched stockpile, spelled out clearly in the memorandum," he told NBC News.

Nuclear program specifics remain unclear with public details pending and sides offering varying accounts.

Donald Trump has insisted Iran will never gain a nuclear weapon while Pakistani mediators reportedly said nuclear talks continue over 60 days.

Trump warned of resumed action if no nuclear deal emerges. Other developments include:

With the memorandum signed, Trump said the strait will be fully open by Friday. The Geneva ceremony is set but he likely will not attend.
The deal brings a Lebanon ceasefire yet no provision for Israeli withdrawal from occupied zones.