Dispute emerges over Lebanon clause in proposed US–Iran agreement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by the Lebanon clause in the emerging U.S.–Iran agreement, according to Israeli officials, quoted by Ynet. They said Netanyahu made clear that Israel would not accept any arrangement that restricts its freedom of action against Hezbollah.

According to the same officials, Netanyahu also told Trump that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon. They said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will remain in their current positions and continue operations aimed at preventing threats from Hezbollah, including the destruction of terrorist infrastructure and responses to any attacks on Israel.

Israeli ministers in the Security Cabinet reportedly share the view that Israel must firmly defend its interests in Lebanon, and Netanyahu received full backing for his position during a cabinet meeting.

The dispute arose after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Iran all announced that a U.S.–Iran agreement had been reached. According to Pakistan, the deal is intended to end the U.S.–Iran conflict and halt military operations across several fronts, including Lebanon.

Israeli officials said the Lebanon clause has become a “red line” for Israel. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group based in Lebanon, has been engaged in cross-border fighting with Israel. Israel maintains that it must retain operational freedom to strike Hezbollah targets in order to protect its northern communities and prevent the group from rebuilding its military capabilities near the border.

Israeli officials also assessed overnight that Tehran had decided to “close the incident” and avoid retaliatory action following an Israeli strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold. Although Iran had previously threatened retaliation, Israeli officials believe U.S. pressure and mediation contributed to Tehran stepping back to avoid jeopardising the emerging agreement.

Senior Israeli officials said the Lebanon clause is “something we will have to stand firm on anyway if we are asked to make withdrawals there.” One official added that Netanyahu is “standing firm and succeeding in pushing back such Iranian demands,” and that U.S. officials understand Israel views the issue as a nonstarter.

By Tamilla Hasanova