US Vice President JD Vance has warned Iran not to derail a ceasefire with Washington following Israeli attacks on Lebanon. He said such action would be unwise and risk undermining ongoing negotiations.
Although Pakistan, as a mediator, said that Lebanon was included in the two-week ceasefire, the US rejected that interpretation. Washington insisted that no agreement had been reached to stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Vance also stressed that any decision by Iran to withdraw from the agreement was their own choice. However, he hinted that such a move would be detrimental to Iran, especially at a time when the country is facing pressure in the current conflict.
For its part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi quoted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as saying that Lebanon was part of the agreement.
Tehran insisted that the terms of the ceasefire were clear and that the US must choose between ending the conflict or continuing it by supporting Israel.
US President Donald Trump and his administration have maintained that Lebanon is not included in the agreement. This difference in interpretation is seen as a misunderstanding in high-profile negotiations between the two sides.
The situation has become more complicated as Israel continues to launch large-scale attacks on Lebanon, including airstrikes that have killed hundreds and injured thousands.
However, Washington has signaled that Israel will show some restraint to ensure that negotiations with Iran are not undermined.
The conflict in Lebanon has continued to escalate since March, involving the Hezbollah group responding to Israeli attacks and regional geopolitical developments.
At the same time, Hezbollah is facing internal pressure when it is accused of dragging Lebanon into the conflict as part of its support for Iran.
