Iran FM says ending war including in Lebanon most important issue in US deal

What Happened

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the most important issue in the US–Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced the previous day was ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. Speaking to foreign diplomats, Araghchi framed the conflict as 'America and Israel' versus 'Iran and Hezbollah', and stated that 'ending the war in Lebanon is an inseparable part of the complete end of the war.' He demanded 'an immediate and permanent end to the war' and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied during the conflict, warning that any Israeli military attack or continued occupation in Lebanon would violate the MoU. The war began on February 28 with US–Israeli strikes on Iran; Hezbollah entered days later, after the killing of Iran's supreme leader. The deal is set to be signed on Friday in Switzerland, with Iran’s delegation led by top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and the US delegation headed by Vice President JD Vance, according to Iranian state television. Following the signing, talks on a final agreement covering Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief will begin.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The MoU and Araghchi's conditions signal a potential diplomatic pathway out of a multi-front war, but Iran's explicit linkage of the Lebanon ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal to the nuclear talks injects major complexity. Araghchi's framing of the deal as between US–Israel and Iran–Hezbollah elevates Hezbollah's status and sets maximalist demands that Israel and the US have not accepted. The Friday signing could either open structured negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and sanctions—critical to regional stability—or collapse over irreconcilable positions on Lebanon and occupied territories.

Watch For

The MoU signing on Friday in Switzerland, the final location and format of the ceremony, and whether the signed document reflects Iran's demands. The immediate start of nuclear talks, as stated by Araghchi. Reactions from Israel—especially Netanyahu's government—and Hezbollah's actions on the ground. Any post-signing military incidents or statements that could constitute a 'violation' in Iran's view, potentially derailing the diplomatic track.