DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran’s top diplomat said Tuesday that the tentative deal to end the war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and that could sink the agreement, leading to the resumption of all-out war.
The deal, which is between the U.S. and Iran, has not been made public, and officials have sometimes offered contradictory interpretations of what is in it. While Israel is not party to the agreement, it is part of the war: It joined the U.S. in launching strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, and has since fought the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon and seized large swaths of that country.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the deal.
“Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,” Araghchi said.
Pakistan, a key mediator, has said the deal called for an end to military operations, including in Lebanon, as Iran long insisted. But Araghchi’s call for a withdrawal adds a new wrinkle.
A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss outlines of the agreement, has said the deal did not call for an Israeli withdrawal. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel would remain in Lebanon “as long as necessary.”
The negotiations to end the war have been plagued by such disagreements before — leading to a prolonged but uneasy ceasefire that has failed to develop into a permanent end to hostilities and that has left the Strait of Hormuz , a crucial waterway for the world’s energy supplies, effectively shut.
The discrepancy underscored how much of the agreement remains apparently unresolved ahead of a planned ceremonial signing Friday in Geneva .
The agreement is meant to provide a meaningful truce in a monthslong war that has killed thousands across the Middle East, including the top leaders of Iran’s theocracy, and raised the prices of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the region.
The unpublished agreement provides for the “immediate” opening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of the blockade, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss outlines of the agreement on Monday.
Brokered mainly by Pakistan , it starts with the simultaneous lifting of Iran’s closure of the strait and the U.S. blockade of Iran’s ports, according to Pakistani officials. The United States and Iran will then begin 60 days of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and the potential lifting of sanctions, Pakistani officials who helped broker the interim deal said, speaking on condition of anonymity about the unpublished text.
It also includes the possibility of releasing Iran’s frozen funds and a $300 billion fund to help rebuild Iran if Tehran meets certain benchmarks, senior U.S. officials told reporters Monday. President Donald Trump later said the United States would not “invest” funds in Iran.
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Araghchi’s comments Tuesday appear to match the understanding of two regional officials with direct knowledge of the interim deal. The officials, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations, said it would require Israel to leave nearly all the territory it occupies in Lebanon, minus a few hilltop points along the border seized earlier.
The officials say Iran insisted the accord include Lebanon in the last days of the negotiations. Regarding the timeline, the officials said the release of frozen Iranian assets are tied to Tehran implementing the deal. Gulf Arab states also have pledged to inject billions of dollars in Iran’s economy, they added.
Beyond Lebanon, there’s one more point of possible contention on Iran’s nuclear program. The interim deal begins a 60-day clock for talks over Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Iran has agreed to discuss ways to possibly “dilute or remove” its stockpile, the officials said. However, it remains unclear whether Tehran would agree to that, particularly with hard-liners opposing to giving it up.
U.S. officials have not yet explained how they see the agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program, including who will be in charge of verifying that Iran is in compliance and who will destroy or remove highly enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites that were badly damaged by U.S. strikes last summer.
Meanwhile, world leaders gathered in France for the first full day of the Group of Seven summit of major industrialized nations, where Iran was high on the agenda. Scheduled discussions include a work session focused on “ending crises and ensuring stability in the Middle East.” Leaders of Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are to join the talks.
Trump has clashed with European leaders over not consulting them before going to war in Iran. Even so, leaders are expected to s…
Read the full article at ABC News (US) →📄Source document: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
12 reports
RealClearPoliticsIndependentCenter2 days agoThe article title suggests a potential analysis of challenges faced by both Iran and the United States in maintaining a specific agreement, likely referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal.
Bias read (Center): The headline presents a neutral scenario where both countries could face difficulties in upholding a deal without taking a clear stance or using biased language. No explicit slant is evident from the limited information provided.
ABC News (US)IndependentCenter5 days agoIran's top diplomat stated that a tentative deal to end the war with the U.S. would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, a condition Israel has rejected. The deal, not yet publicly disclosed, involves the U.S. and Iran but does not include Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed Israel's presence in southern Lebanon violates the terms of the agreement. A U.S. official denied that the deal includes such a requirement, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated Israel would maintain its position in Lebanon.
Bias read (Center): The article presents statements from multiple parties involved—Iran, the U.S., and Israel—without overtly favoring any side. It reports on conflicting claims regarding the conditions of the proposed deal without editorializing or using biased language.
Official sources cited
- government Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
- government U.S. official (anonymous)
- government Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
The New York Times (World)Independent🔒Center5 days agoThe article discusses the potential stability of the Iran nuclear deal, noting that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has become costly for both parties, which may lead to a more durable agreement.
Bias read (Center): The article does not exhibit clear ideological slant. It presents a general observation about the costs of conflict without taking a stance on either side.
NPR NewsIndependentCenter6 days agoThe U.S. and Iran have announced a deal aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement represents a significant development in the region but leaves some critical issues unresolved for future discussions.
Bias read (Center): The summary presents the facts neutrally without apparent bias. It mentions the deal as a 'major breakthrough' but also notes that 'critical issues' remain unresolved, indicating balanced reporting.
The HillIndependentRight6 days agoRepublican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed concern that Iran may interpret the recently agreed-upon memorandum of understanding with the U.S. differently than the Trump administration. Graham praised the agreement allowing the Strait of Hormuz to reopen but emphasized his caution regarding Iran's perspective. President Trump announced the completion of the deal, authorizing the reopening of the strait and the removal of the U.S. naval blockade.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the situation with a focus on concerns raised by a prominent conservative senator, emphasizing potential differences in interpretation between Iran and the U.S., which aligns with a right-leaning perspective on foreign policy and national security. The tone highlights skepticism,
NPR NewsIndependentCenter6 days ago The U.S. and Iran announce a deal to end the warThe U.S. and Iran have announced a deal to end the conflict, with President Trump stating that the U.S. will lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and that a formal agreement will be signed on Friday.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual statement without overtly biased language or framing. It reports on an announcement by President Trump regarding the removal of a blockade and the signing of a deal, without emphasizing any particular ideological perspective.
The HillIndependentCenter6 days ago US, Iran reach deal to open Strait of Hormuz, end war, but challenges for Team Trump awaitPresident Trump announced that his administration has reached a deal with the Iranian government, which could signal an end to the three-and-a-half-month conflict in the Middle East. Trump shared the announcement via a post on Truth Social.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a straightforward statement from President Trump regarding a diplomatic agreement with Iran without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It does not emphasize any particular ideological perspective but reports on the event as declared by the president.
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter7 days agoThe U.S. and Iran indicate that a deal to end the fighting is nearing completion, though there is disagreement over the timeline. President Trump expressed optimism that a deal could be reached as early as Sunday, while Iranian leaders claim any agreement with the White House is still days away.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives without apparent bias, quoting statements from both the U.S. and Iranian leadership. There is no evident loaded language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context that would suggest a particular ideological leaning.
Associated PressIndependentCenter8 days agoThe article discusses a potential agreement aimed at ending the conflict involving Iran. It outlines key points and considerations regarding such a deal.
Bias read (Center): The article does not exhibit any clear ideological slant. It focuses on providing general information about a potential deal without taking a stance or using biased language.
Bloomberg NewsParty-aligned🔒Center8 days agoPresident Donald Trump claimed an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict with Iran would be signed on Sunday. However, Iran stated it was still reviewing the text of the agreement, indicating ongoing disagreements over key issues such as the management of the waterway and financial obligations to the Islamic Republic.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both Trump's statement and Iran's response without apparent bias or loaded language. It does not favor one side over the other and provides a balanced account of the situation.
The AtlanticIndependent🔒Center8 days agoThe article discusses potential negotiations between the United States and Iran, suggesting that a deal could be reached despite ongoing tensions.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a neutral perspective on the possibility of a deal between the U.S. and Iran without overtly favoring either side. It does not use loaded language or one-sided sourcing.
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter9 days ago 6/11: The Takeout with Major GarrettThe article reports on two main topics: U.S. and Iran potentially having 60 days to reach a deal after signing a letter of intent, and Senator John Thune facing pressure from President Trump to fire the Senate parliamentarian.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual updates without apparent framing or slant. It does not include opinionated language, biased sourcing, or omissions that would indicate a particular ideological leaning.
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