Iran Demands Lebanon Ceasefire Guarantees Before US Talks as Netanyahu Vows to Stay in South Lebanon

Iran has made a clear condition for resuming talks with the United States in Switzerland, it wants firm guarantees that the fighting in Lebanon will stop. A senior diplomat involved in mediation told CNN that Tehran is demanding a clear commitment that hostilities in southern Lebanon will end in line with the signed ceasefire agreement, and that the Iranian delegation will not go to the talks until a full end to military activity in Lebanon is assured.

According to the diplomat, the planned discussions are being temporarily delayed because of Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The mediator said, "The Iranians asked for guarantees that the hostility in Lebanon will end, as laid out in the signed agreement," adding that "the mediators are now working to solve the issue." No new date for the talks was given.

The dispute comes after the IDF carried out a broad strike operation in southern Lebanon, destroying more than 80 Hezbollah targets and killing dozens of militants. The strikes were said to be in response to the deaths of four IDF soldiers in combat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he mourned the deaths of Lt. Col. Dor Gidlia Ben Shimon, commander of Battalion 52 in the Armored Corps, and three other soldiers whose names had not yet been released, and wished a full recovery to the wounded. He said he had ordered the IDF to strike Hezbollah hard after what he called the group’s "criminal attack" and a blatant violation of the ceasefire. Netanyahu added that Israel will not tolerate attacks on its soldiers or territory and will "remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary" to protect northern communities.

Earlier, the White House said Vice President J.D. Vance had postponed his planned trip to the first round of talks with Tehran, which was supposed to take place Friday in Switzerland. Following that announcement, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said the planned talks between the sides would not take place as scheduled.