Iran Sets Red Line: No Final Deal With US Until Israel Stops Attacks on Lebanon

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei delivered a firm set of preconditions for any final resolution with the United States on Monday, stating at his weekly press conference that a ceasefire in Lebanon cannot be separated from a broader agreement to end the war.

“We have emphasized and continue to emphasize that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an integral part of any ceasefire and any final agreement to end the war,” Baghaei said, responding to questions about Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon, which Tehran characterised as a “clear and flagrant violation” of the April 8 truce.

He placed the conflict in a wider historical frame, stating: “Our region is facing continuous warmongering by the Zionist regime. This is not just about today or yesterday. Over the past 80 years, the Zionist regime, with US support, has waged a permanent and endless war against the countries of the region.”

US Also Accused of Ceasefire Violations

Baghaei did not limit his criticism to Israel. He directly accused Washington of large-scale ceasefire violations, stating: “It is not only Israel that is violating the ceasefire; the United States, on such a wide scale, is also committing violations of the ceasefire in our region.”

He further condemned what he described as ongoing aggression against Iranian commercial vessels, saying: “Add to this violation of the ceasefire the continuation of maritime banditry and aggression against Iranian commercial shipping, which itself is both a violation of the ceasefire and an act of aggression against Iran.”

Strait of Hormuz, Frozen Assets and Nuclear Talks

Tehran reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to adversary-affiliated vessels until the US naval blockade on Iranian ports is fully lifted. On the question of Iran’s frozen assets — with reports suggesting Washington may offer $6 billion in the form of food and medical supplies rather than cash — Baghaei was categorical: “At present, we are not seeking concessions; we are seeking to receive the rights of the Iranian nation that have been unjustly violated.”

On nuclear negotiations, Baghaei dismissed suggestions that Iran’s enriched uranium or the Fordow facility were on the table, saying: “Whenever we need to take action on nuclear issues, we know very well how to proceed.” He added: “I repeat once again that at this stage, our focus is on ending the war.”

Warning to NATO Over Persian Gulf

Responding to NATO’s stated intention to intervene in the Persian Gulf maritime situation, Baghaei cautioned that any such action would be destabilising. “If NATO, European countries, and members of this coalition want to fulfill their responsibilities, they must hold the United States and the Zionist regime accountable, because they are the ones who have caused this situation in the first place,” he concluded.

Iran’s Commitment to Lebanon

Baghaei closed by reaffirming Iran’s unconditional support for Lebanon and the Lebanese resistance, stating: “As the Islamic Republic of Iran, we once again emphasize that we consider ourselves committed to taking any action we can to help Lebanon and to help the resistance in Lebanon against the aggression and unlawful violations of the Zionist regime.”