Iran Says Israel Strikes on Lebanon Must Halt After US–Iran Memorandum; Israel Says Deal Not Binding

TEHRAN / JERUSALEM, June 15: Iran has called for an immediate end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon following the US–Iran memorandum of understanding, while Israeli officials rejected any suggestion that the agreement applies to Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in separate phone calls with his counterparts in Turkey, Iraq and Egypt on Monday, said Israel must stop all hostilities in Lebanon and that Washington bears responsibility for implementing the agreement.

According to an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement, Araghchi thanked the three regional countries for their support of ceasefire efforts, de-escalation, and diplomatic engagement aimed at reducing regional tensions.

The remarks come amid broader diplomatic activity following the US–Iran understanding, which includes provisions related to ending military operations and advancing negotiations on outstanding issues between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the agreement between Washington and Tehran does not apply to Israel, stressing that Israel remains an independent and sovereign state.

“Trump’s agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subordinate to the United States,” Ben Gvir said on Monday.

He added that Israel was not a party to the agreement and argued that it does not address Israel’s security concerns.

“We are not partners to this agreement, which does not safeguard our security. We must not withdraw from any territory [in Lebanon] that our fighters have captured,” he said.

The comments highlight growing regional tensions over the implications of the US–Iran memorandum, as diplomatic and military positions continue to diverge among key regional actors.