Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that it would be “foolish” for the United States to permit Israel to jeopardize the regional ceasefire by persisting with its intense attacks on Lebanon, which have resulted in hundreds of deaths since the truce began. On Thursday, Araghchi highlighted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial is set to resume on Sunday, implying that the Israeli leader might have an ulterior motive for prolonging the conflict. “A region-wide ceasefire, including in Lebanon, would accelerate his imprisonment,” Araghchi posted on social media. He then addressed the U.S., which has denied that Lebanon was part of the initial ceasefire agreement. “If the U.S. chooses to damage its economy by allowing Netanyahu to undermine diplomatic efforts, that would ultimately be its decision. We believe that would be unwise, but we are prepared for such an outcome,” Araghchi wrote. His remarks echoed sentiments expressed by U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday. Vance had cautioned against Iran allowing the ceasefire to collapse over the situation in Lebanon, stating, “We think that would be foolish, but that’s their choice.”
Since the ceasefire’s announcement on Tuesday, the dispute over its applicability to Lebanon has emerged as a significant threat to the truce’s longevity. Iranian officials and media outlets have indicated that Tehran might respond militarily to Israel’s assault on Lebanon or blockade the Strait of Hormuz to enforce the ceasefire’s application to Lebanon. On Thursday, Trump stated that he had advised the Israeli government to reduce its operations in Lebanon. “I spoke with Bibi [Netanyahu], and he’s going to tone it down. I just think we need to be a bit more discreet,” he informed NBC News. Vance also mentioned on Wednesday that the Israelis had agreed to “exercise some restraint in Lebanon.”
However, following one of Lebanon’s bloodiest days, the Israeli assault shows no signs of abating. The death toll from the recent Israeli bombardment has already surpassed 300 individuals. On Thursday, Israel launched several new deadly attacks in Lebanon, including a strike that killed four rescuers in the southern town of Borj Qalaouiye. Israeli forces have also issued a displacement order for Beirut’s Jnah area, which houses two of the country’s largest hospitals, along with tens of thousands of residents and displaced persons.
The U.S. has a history of asserting that Israel has consented to curb its military attacks, only for further strikes to subsequently occur. For instance, in 2024, the administration of former President Joe Biden maintained for months that Israel was conducting only a “limited” operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Yet, the Israeli military ultimately destroyed nearly every structure in Rafah—a scorched-earth strategy that Israeli officials now reportedly intend to replicate in southern Lebanon to ensure the permanent displacement of its population. The conflict in Lebanon escalated into an all-out war in early March, following Hezbollah’s rocket fire in response to Israeli strikes and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28. Israel has conducted near-daily attacks in Lebanon since a separate ceasefire in November 2024, including extensive assaults on civilian infrastructure.
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