By Desmond Nleya
Iran has called on the United States to ensure that Israel fully complies with efforts to end hostilities in Lebanon, saying Washington bears responsibility for securing peace across the region.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister said Tehran remains committed to diplomatic engagement with the United States and is prepared to move forward with negotiations. However, he stressed that any agreement must include guarantees that Israel ceases its military operations in Lebanon.
The comments come as a U.S. official told Reuters that Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement have agreed to a ceasefire following a wave of Israeli attacks that reportedly killed at least 47 people in Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that the United States has a “commitment and responsibility” to help bring an end to conflicts on all fronts, including Lebanon, in line with the terms of the broader agreement.
Despite reports of a ceasefire, tensions remain high. Clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have continued in parts of southern Lebanon, raising concerns about the durability of the truce.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. UNICEF reported that Israeli attacks have killed an average of one Palestinian child every day since a ceasefire came into effect in October last year.
Regional mediators, including representatives from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, are expected to meet in Egypt’s coastal city of Alamein on June 21 in an effort to reinforce diplomatic efforts and prevent further escalation across the Middle East.
