23/06/2026
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23/06/2026
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JERUSALEM / TEHRAN, Jun 23: Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said Tuesday that Lebanon is an “unquestionable” part of a memorandum of understanding with the United States, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory.
Ali Bahreini said there should be no further Israeli attacks in Lebanon, adding that US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland had made “some good progress.”
He said technical-level talks held Monday went “very well” and that two working groups would be formed in the coming days: one focused on removing sanctions against Iran and the other on Iranian nuclear activities.
Bahreini added that there had been no discussions on allowing nuclear inspectors into Iran.
On the Strait of Hormuz, he said the waterway remained open without charges, but that what happens after 60 days would depend on the negotiations. He said the main talks on the strait would be held between Iran and Oman, followed by parallel discussions with parties to the memorandum.
Israel Says It Is Not Bound by US-Iran Talks
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said separately that Israel is not part of the US-Iran negotiations and would continue operations in Lebanon until Hezbollah is “fully dismantled.”
“Israel is not part of the negotiating talks with Iran by choice,” Smotrich told Israeli Army Radio on Tuesday. “We will not hold talks with the devil.”
“We are not a party to the negotiations between the United States and Iran, and they do not concern us at all,” he said, adding that Israel would “continue operating in Lebanon fully.”
Smotrich said the Israeli army would not withdraw from what Israel calls its security zone in southern Lebanon, including Beaufort Castle, as long as Hezbollah continues to exist.
“We will not withdraw not only until Hezbollah gives up its weapons, but until it is fully dismantled,” he said.
He added that Israel wants Hezbollah excluded from Lebanon’s government and stripped of any military force capable of threatening Israel.
Talks Continue Amid Israeli Concerns
The remarks come amid growing debate in Israeli political and security circles over the reported memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran and its possible implications for the war on the Lebanese front.
Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold a fifth round of direct negotiations in Washington on Tuesday, following four previous rounds that began in April as part of a US-mediated track aimed at ending the conflict in Lebanon.
Israeli media outlet i24NEWS, citing Israeli officials, reported that Tel Aviv fears a US-Iran agreement could strengthen Tehran and its regional allies.
According to official Lebanese figures, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 4,100 people and injured over 12,000 others since March 2.
Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, including territory held for decades and other areas seized during the 2023–2024 war.
