Iranian President: Ceasefire with US Could Be Futile Due to Israel's Attacks on Lebanon
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stark warning that the continuation of Israel’s military aggression against Lebanon could render ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and the United States “futile”.
Via social media platform X on Thursday (9 April), Pezeshkian asserted that Tehran would not stand idly by as the situation in Lebanon deteriorates further.
“The continuation of attacks will make negotiations futile; our finger remains on the trigger, and Iran will not abandon its brothers in Lebanon,” Pezeshkian stated firmly.
Echoing the President, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Lebanon and the “Axis of Resistance” are an inseparable part of the ceasefire agreement. He cited a statement from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to bolster Iran’s position.
“Lebanon and the entire Axis of Resistance, as allies of Iran, are an inseparable part of the ceasefire,” Ghalibaf said.
He warned that violations of the emerging agreement would trigger serious consequences. “A breach of the ceasefire means there is a price to pay and there will be a strong retaliation,” he added, while urging an immediate halt to the conflict before it spreads further.
Tensions have peaked following Israel’s escalation of attacks on Lebanon since Wednesday (8 April). This comes despite a two-week ceasefire currently in effect between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistan.
The ceasefire was initially seen as a pathway to a final agreement to end the war involving Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran since late February.
However, sharp differences in interpretation have emerged.
The impact of Israel’s airstrikes on Wednesday was reported as highly lethal. Lebanon’s Civil Defence authorities recorded at least 254 people killed and 1,165 others injured in a single day of attacks.
Amid the precarious situation, US and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet for “direct” negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday (11 April). The meeting aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire to end the escalation in the region.