Khamenei ties US-Iran peace deal to Israel ending attacks on Lebanon

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has made the cessation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon a prerequisite for peace negotiations with the United States. In a series of statements, Khamenei emphasized that Iran views the preservation of Lebanon's territorial integrity and an end to what he termed aggression by Israel as fundamental conditions for resolving the conflict with Washington.

Khamenei expressed strong support for Hezbollah and its constituents in southern Lebanon, characterizing the defense of the group as a strategic obligation for Iran. He referenced the killing of his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, at the outset of the broader conflict, and cited Israel's sustained military campaign against Lebanese territory as justification for Hezbollah's engagement.

The Iranian leader's intervention reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington, though a June memorandum of understanding between the two nations has deteriorated amid disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. That agreement had included Iran's demand for an end to Israeli strikes on Lebanon as its opening condition.

On the ground, a US-mediated framework signed in June between Lebanon and Israel outlined a phased Israeli withdrawal contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament. However, the Lebanese military reported that Israeli forces are obstructing the withdrawal process, refusing to vacate designated zones. As of recent reports, Israeli military operations including bulldozing, shelling, and ground operations continue across occupied southern Lebanese territory.

The latest escalation has resulted in significant casualties, with over 4,300 deaths reported, alongside losses of Israeli military and civilian personnel. Historical records indicate Israel violated a previous ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah more than 10,000 times according to UN peacekeeping forces.