Key facts
- Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, demanded Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and an end to hostilities on all fronts.
- Iran warned that any Israeli attack or continued occupation of Lebanese territory would violate the interim agreement with the US.
- President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Israel's actions in Lebanon and suggested Syria, not Israel, should manage Hezbollah.
- China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi cautioned that upcoming US-Iran negotiations will be more challenging.
- Israel's Supreme Court rejected an appeal for the release of detained Gaza doctor Hussam Abu Safiya.
Iran has issued a strong warning to Israel, stating that any attack on Lebanon or continued occupation of its territory will be considered a violation of the interim agreement with the United States. This demand comes as Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, called for Israel's full withdrawal from Lebanon and an end to hostilities on all fronts.
During a conversation with Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Ghalibaf emphasized that the war must cease on all fronts, including Lebanon, and that Israel must fully withdraw its forces. Berri thanked Ghalibaf for his role in the negotiations and pushing for a cessation of hostilities.
US President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Israel's actions in Lebanon, stating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has to be more responsible" and that he was "not happy" with Israel’s invasion and handling of Hezbollah. Trump also suggested that Syria, rather than Israel, could manage Hezbollah.
Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi previously stated that an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon, is a prerequisite for any deal. He explained that Israel's war on Lebanon and the war in Iran are interconnected, highlighting Lebanon's geostrategic importance for Iran's regional influence and its relationship with Hezbollah.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi cautioned that the upcoming phase of negotiations between the US and Iran will be more difficult and urged the UN Security Council to play a greater role. Paul Musgrave, an associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, raised questions about President Trump's ability to maintain Republican support for a deal and whether Netanyahu would adhere to its terms, especially concerning Lebanon.
In a separate development, Israel's Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a prominent Palestinian doctor detained since December 2024, ordering him to remain in custody under the Unlawful Combatants Law. The ruling was based on "confidential materials" withheld from the defense.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued its strikes in southern Lebanon, with drone attacks reported in the Mayfadoun town square and a sound bomb dropped in Haddatha, injuring four people. Despite US pressure, reports suggest Israel is likely to maintain its troop presence in Lebanon, as any mention of withdrawal could jeopardize Netanyahu's coalition.