Iran threatens to collapse the ceasefire deal with the U.S. over the exclusion of Hezbollah, raising tensions amid ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed group.
Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, stating that it must choose between a ceasefire or continued conflict through Israel, following the exclusion of Hezbollah from a recent truce agreement. This ultimatum comes as the ceasefire takes effect, highlighting Tehran’s dissatisfaction with the terms that do not include the Iran-backed militant group.
On Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi expressed his concerns on social media platform X, emphasizing that the terms of the ceasefire are “clear and explicit.” He stated, “The U.S. must choose—ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both. The world sees the massacres in Lebanon. The ball is in the U.S. court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments.”
These sentiments were echoed by Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who referenced the ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Earlier, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key intermediary in the ceasefire negotiations, indicated that the two-week ceasefire would encompass Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict has been contentious, particularly after the group violated a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November 2024 by entering the war against Israel in March 2025 to support Iran. Experts suggest that long-term regional stability hinges on the disarmament of Hezbollah by the Lebanese government and military.
Edy Cohen, an Israeli security expert with roots in Lebanon, shared insights on the challenges of disarming Hezbollah. He stated, “Hezbollah will never disarm itself. From its perspective, it protects two million Shiites. The only way to defeat Hezbollah is to first define it as a terrorist organization. Not to allow its political wing to exist and also to order the Lebanese army to gather in the areas under its control area by area.”
Cohen further elaborated on the complexities of dismantling Hezbollah, suggesting that the Lebanese government must first secure heavy weapons and control areas where the group operates. He noted that Israel’s role should be limited to aerial support, as the disarmament process must be gradual and carefully managed.
On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported conducting extensive airstrikes, targeting over 100 locations associated with Hezbollah, including military headquarters and command centers. The IDF stated that these strikes were based on precise intelligence and aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s operations against Israeli soldiers and civilians.
According to reports from Reuters, the health ministry in Lebanon indicated that at least 91 people were killed in Beirut, contributing to a nationwide total of 182 fatalities on that day alone. The IDF emphasized that the strikes were meticulously planned to minimize civilian casualties, despite the challenges posed by Hezbollah’s tactics of using civilian areas for military operations.
Since the onset of the conflict, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly resulted in over 1,530 deaths in Lebanon, as noted by the Associated Press. However, neither the Lebanese Health Ministry nor Hezbollah has provided an official count of the group’s casualties.
Guila Fakhoury, whose father was kidnapped by Hezbollah in 2019, voiced her concerns about Iran’s influence in Lebanon through its proxy group. She stated, “The majority of Lebanese people believe the actions of Hezbollah caused Israel to occupy southern Lebanon and don’t want Iran and Hezbollah. Hezbollah is threatening the entire government.”
Fakhoury, who leads the Amer Foundation—an organization focused on supporting families of illegal detainees and educating on Middle Eastern policy—expressed hope for peace. She noted that many Lebanese citizens, particularly Shiites, are opposed to Hezbollah and desire a resolution with Israel. “We hope the Trump administration will push the Lebanese government and Israel’s government to start peace talks,” she added.
In a further escalation of tensions, Iran’s regime defied Lebanon’s order to expel its ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, asserting that he would remain in the country. This move has heightened diplomatic strains, as Lebanon had declared Shibani “persona non grata” in an effort to diminish Iran’s diplomatic presence.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful of the developments surrounding the ceasefire and the potential implications for regional stability.
For more on this story, see the report from Fox News.