IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani warned Thursday that if Israel does not withdraw from southern Lebanon voluntarily, it will be forced out defeated. An Iranian source said any final agreement requires full Israeli withdrawal, calling it a red line for Iran. Defense Minister Katz, speaking at an IDF officers' graduation ceremony, rejected withdrawal, saying the IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza indefinitely.
IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani warned Thursday that if Israel does not withdraw from southern Lebanon voluntarily, it will be forced out defeated. An Iranian source told the Quds Force-linked outlet that any final agreement requires full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, describing it as a red line for Iran. The same source claimed Israeli strikes have decreased over the past six days due to Iranian demands, but said Iran will accept only a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal.
Separately, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking at an IDF officers' graduation ceremony (Bahad 1), stated Israel's policy is clear: the IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza without a time limit, to protect Israeli residents and communities. The remarks directly contradict Qaani's ultimatum.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday, Qaani had already warned Israel must withdraw or be defeated. Katz's position was also previously flagged in a Zioneer bulletin at 18:43 Jerusalem — he warned Iran of a 'full-force' response. The IRGC has been escalating demands in recent days; on June 20 the IRGC demanded a complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon and an end to Israeli air operations, according to a Zioneer background report.
Also reported in the same batch: an IRGC cargo ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz after using an unauthorized route; and the Israeli Air Force eliminated an Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza two days ago in a precision strike.
3 developments
- StrongIRGC Quds Force chief Qaani addresses IDF soldiers in Hebrew: surrender or face 2000-style rout
- StrongIRGC Quds Force chief warns Hezbollah will keep fighting in southern Lebanon
- StrongIRGC warns Israel: stop strikes in southern Lebanon or face severe consequences
- StrongIRGC issues two new demands: full Israel withdrawal from southern Lebanon and end to air operations
Source and signal
- Internal intake