Ceasefire with US covers all fronts, including Lebanon; violation on one front is violation on all: Iran FM
Tehran, June 1
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday slammed the recent violations of the ceasefire between Iran and the US in the context of the Israeli military operation in Lebanon, noting that the deal "unequivocally" covers all fronts, including Lebanon.
In a post on X, Araghchi warned that any breach in one theatre would be considered a violation of the entire agreement.
"For immediate attention: The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation," the post read.
This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have instructed the country's defence force to conduct strikes against terror targets in Beirut in response to what it has called Hezbollah's repeated violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon and attacks against Israeli cities and civilians.
The announcement was shared by the Prime Minister's Office on Monday in a post on X, and as per the PMO, the strikes will target locations in the Dahia Quarter of Beirut.
"Following the Hezbollah terrorist organisation's repeated and ongoing violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon and its attacks against our civilians and cities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have instructed the IDF to strike terror targets in the Dahia Quarter of Beirut," the PMO wrote on X.
On Sunay Netanyahu said Israeli forces have "captured" Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon despite the ongoing ceasefire between the two sides and instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to further "expand the incursion" in Lebanon.
"Last night, our heroic fighters captured the Beaufort castle. They proudly raised the flag of the State of Israel and the flag of the Golani Brigade there," Netanyahu said in a televised statement.
"I remind you that 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us. Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined, and stronger than ever," he added.
Netanyahu further stated that the capture marks a significant turn in Israel's military campaign, reflecting unity and determination among Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai also issued a warning on X, stating: "Cross Iran's red lines and the response won't be subtle. A proper beating awaits those who test them."
The statements come amid heightened tensions in West Asia as the fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance amid diplomatic engagements between Iran and the US to achieve a complete settlement to the overall conflict.
Notably, US President Donald Trump has asked for additional revisions to a proposed agreement with Iran aimed at extending a ceasefire, CBS News reported. The latest draft outlines a 60-day halt to hostilities, steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework to restart talks on Iran's nuclear program. No formal agreement has been announced.
A high-level White House meeting on Friday intended to reach a "final determination" ended without a decision. Trump said preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains non-negotiable."The one guarantee I have to have is that there will be no nuclear weapons," he told Fox News. He added that he was in "no hurry" to finalise a deal.
Axios, cited by CBS News, reported that Trump called for multiple revisions during Friday's session and has since pushed for more changes. A White House official echoed that position: "President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines."
The current proposal also addresses Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. If talks advance, Iran could regain access to billions in frozen assets through sanctions relief.
The document has been described as a memorandum of understanding, pending approval from both sides.
Iran, however, insists on firm guarantees. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would reject any terms unless its rights are "thoroughly protected." Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added: "Until a conclusion is reached... everything that is being said now is speculation."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting how the Iranian Consulate in Mumbai got involved—"a proper beating awaits" is quite the language for a diplomatic mission! India has always walked a tightrope between its ties with Israel and its energy needs from Iran. This whole situation must be giving our MEA some sleepless nights.
Netanyahu's speech about capturing Beaufort Castle sounds dramatic—"returned united, determined, and stronger than ever." But mate, you're expanding incursions during a ceasefire! It's like the agreement was just a pause button for both sides to reload. Meanwhile, regular civilians in Lebanon and Israel suffer the consequences. 😔
Respectfully, I think Iran is overplaying its hand here. They can't seriously expect the US to control every single Israeli action in Lebanon. And Trump asking for "multiple revisions" to the deal shows Washington isn't fully committed either. This is just diplomatic theatre while both sides test boundaries. India should stay out of this mess and focus on its own border issues.
The Iran nuclear program angle is the real story here—Trump says "no nuclear weapons" is non-negotiable, but Iran wants guarantees on sanctions relief. Everyone's playing hardball. Given our energy needs and the Chabahar port deal with Iran, India has huge stakes in a stable West Asia. Hoping diplomacy wins over brinkmanship this time. 🙏
"Until a conclusion is reached... everything being said now is speculation"—finally some honesty from Araghchi. This whole thing looks like a PR war more than any real diplomatic progress
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.