Iran Says Ceasefire to Begin Tonight as Deal Nears Signature in Switzerland

Iran said on Monday that it had canceled negotiations and was prepared to attack Israel after the strike on southern Beirut, but ultimately backed off following last-minute concessions from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Tasnim News Agency. Those concessions reportedly included preserving Lebanon’s territorial integrity, an Israeli withdrawal from the Lebanese border, and the immediate lifting of the blockade.

Tehran also said the agreement being negotiated between the two sides is expected to be signed this coming Friday in Switzerland. Iran’s foreign minister said, “Starting tonight, an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities will be declared, including in Lebanon.”

The report framed the announcement as a reversal driven by the final terms offered before an apparent Iranian attack on what it called the “Zionist regime” could be carried out. The ceasefire language, according to the Iranian statement, would cover the fighting beyond Iran itself and extend to Lebanon as well.