Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stated in the Al-Joumhouria newspaper that Tel Aviv does not have freedom of action under the memorandum of understanding. The most urgent priority is to secure an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, which Berri said will be included in the 60-day negotiating period between Iran and the United States. He added that all 14 articles of the agreement have been carefully drafted, with Tehran 'sewing it meticulously like a carpet,' according to Israeli media citing the interview.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key interlocutor for Hezbollah in Western talks, delivered a pointed statement to the Lebanese daily Al-Joumhouria. Berri asserted that Israel 'does not have freedom of action' under any memorandum of understanding currently being negotiated between Iran and the United States, according to Israeli media reports citing the interview.
Berri framed the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon as the foremost issue, stating it will be addressed within a 60-day negotiating window between Tehran and Washington. This echoes previous statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, as The Zioneer reported earlier today, who argued that the end of the war in Lebanon is inseparable from an Iran deal and demands full Israeli withdrawal.
The speech draws a sharp contrast with recent US official statements. On Monday evening, both a senior White House official and a US official cited by Reuters clarified that an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is not a condition of the emerging framework with Iran, and that Israel retains the right to self-defense. Berri's characterization of the draft agreement as meticulously 'sewn by Iran' suggests Hezbollah's political wing is positioning for maximal leverage as the 60-day diplomatic clock appears to be a key component of the regional framework.
2 developments
- StrongAraghchi says Lebanon war end inseparable from Iran's, demands full Israeli withdrawal
- DevelopingLebanese Speaker Reportedly Sets Conditions for Israel Deal
- DevelopingSenior US official: Israel won't be asked to leave Lebanon until final Iran-Lebanon deal — at least 60 days
- DevelopingIran tells Hezbollah and Lebanon speaker the US deal includes comprehensive ceasefire
Source and signal
- Internal intake