Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that the ceasefire in Lebanon will not take effect until Friday, even though he said the end of the war had already been announced Monday morning after understandings were reached between Washington and Tehran. He said the memorandum of understanding will begin only on Friday, when it is expected to be signed in Switzerland at the weekend.
Araghchi said that once the understandings enter into force, any Israeli strike in Lebanon or continued Israeli presence there would constitute a violation of the deal. He also said a new round of talks between the United States and Iran is expected to open when the memorandum is signed in Switzerland. Iranian deputy foreign minister announced that parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf will attend the event, while the American side is expected to include Vice President Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The comments came as Lebanese media reported an airstrike on a car in the village of Hadatha in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials are still seeking clarification on how the agreement affects IDF activity in Lebanon, and senior American officials have said an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon is not a condition of the agreement.
Separately, President Donald Trump told the G7 summit that the fighting in Lebanon has gone on too long and said he had suggested Israel let Syria deal with Hezbollah, adding, “to tell the truth, I think they would do a much better job.” He said he has good relations with Benjamin Netanyahu but Israel now needs to show more respect for Lebanon. On Iran, Trump said he never cared about regime change, called the deal fair, and warned that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, “hell gates will open.”
