Dubai: Iran has said any agreement ending its conflict with the United States must include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, exposing fresh differences over the terms of a proposed ceasefire framework that has yet to be formally published.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel's continued military presence in parts of southern Lebanon would violate the memorandum of understanding reached between Tehran and Washington.
Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, Araghchi said the conflict could not be considered fully over unless Israeli forces withdrew from territories occupied during the war. He also warned that any future Israeli military action in Lebanon would be viewed by Iran as a breach of the agreement.
The comments contrast with statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has indicated that Israeli forces would remain in a security buffer zone in Lebanon for as long as necessary. Israel is not a direct party to the agreement negotiated between the United States and Iran.
The differing interpretations have raised questions about key provisions of the proposed deal ahead of a planned signing ceremony in Geneva later this week.
According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the agreement would begin with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of restrictions affecting Iranian ports. It would also launch a 60-day negotiation process on Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief and the potential release of frozen Iranian assets.
Regional officials involved in the talks said Iran pushed for Lebanon's inclusion in the final stages of negotiations. The proposed framework is also expected to address the future of Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, although significant differences remain over how that issue will be resolved.
World leaders meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit have welcomed the diplomatic breakthrough but stressed the need for detailed negotiations and swift implementation to stabilise energy markets and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
(With agency inputs from PTI)