Iran has informed intermediaries that any ceasefire agreement with the United States and Israel must include Lebanon, linking an end of the war to a halt to Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah. An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran wants any deal with the US to secure an end to the war both on Iran and other “resistance groups” in the region.
A senior Iranian official indicated that Tehran is still reviewing a US proposal to end the regional war, showing no outright rejection of it. Six regional sources said Tehran informed mediators as early as mid-March that it seeks a deal stopping Israel’s attacks on Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 and seen as the spearhead of Iran’s regional alliance of armed actors, opened fire on Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Tehran. This triggered an Israeli air and ground campaign in Lebanon. No immediate response was given from Iran’s foreign ministry, Israel’s foreign ministry or the Israeli military.
A senior Trump administration official said ending Iran’s “proxy activities” and disarming Hezbollah are crucial to peace and stability in Lebanon and across the region. One regional source told Reuters that Hezbollah has received “Iranian guarantees” on its inclusion in any wider deal. Tehran is prioritizing Lebanon, not accepting Israeli violations like those after a 2024 ceasefire.
Lebanon’s foreign ministry declared the appointed Iranian ambassador persona non grata, with Hezbollah condemning the move and insisting the envoy should stay. A Beirut-based foreign official said Hezbollah hopes an Iran-backed truce will bolster its political position in Lebanon.
Israel’s foreign ministry stated that Israel has not conducted or does not conduct negotiations with the “Iranian terror regime.” Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed over 1,000 people and displaced more than a million in Lebanon.