Breaking Boundaries: Vance Unveils the Truth Behind US-Iran Ceasefire and Misunderstandings Over Lebanon
US Vice President JD Vance clarified on Wednesday that Lebanon is not included in the newly agreed ceasefire between the US and Iran, despite Tehran’s belief to the contrary. Speaking to reporters in Budapest, Vance explained, “I think this comes from a legitimate misunderstanding. I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t.” He emphasized that the US position is that the ceasefire specifically addresses Iran and its allies, notably Israel and Gulf Arab states. This statement stands in contrast to earlier remarks from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had indicated the truce would encompass Lebanon.
Vance revealed that Israel has expressed a willingness to exercise restraint in Lebanon to facilitate the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, although specifics were not disclosed. “The Israelis, as I understand it, have actually offered to check themselves a little bit in Lebanon because they want to make sure that our negotiation is successful,” he said.
President Donald Trump reiterated this stance during an interview with PBS News, stating that Lebanon is excluded from the US-Iran ceasefire due to the presence of Hezbollah. He added that the situation in Lebanon would “get taken care of,” distinguishing it as a separate issue from the ceasefire arrangement. When questioned about Israel’s ongoing military operations, Trump referred to them as “a separate skirmish.”
In a separate development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a central condition of Iran’s 10-point plan to end the regional conflict, as reported by ISNA. Pezeshkian conveyed to French President Emmanuel Macron that Iran’s acceptance of the ceasefire demonstrates a commitment to resolving issues through diplomacy. He stated, “Establishing a ceasefire in Lebanon has been one of the key conditions of Iran’s 10-point plan.”
The fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran faces growing pressure, especially after Iran warned of potential hostilities as Israel intensified its bombardment of Lebanon. Both Washington and Tehran have declared victory regarding the ceasefire agreement, which aims to end weeks of violence that have resulted in thousands of casualties and affected global markets. However, tensions soared as Israeli forces conducted their heaviest strikes on Lebanon since Hezbollah joined the conflict, reportedly killing at least 112 individuals and injuring hundreds.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, cautioned that repeated breaches of Iran’s negotiation framework could jeopardize the ceasefire. He stated on X, “The very ‘workable basis on which to negotiate’ has been openly and clearly violated, even before the negotiations began. In such a situation, a bilateral ceasefire or negotiations is unreasonable.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that military operations against Hezbollah will persist, making it clear that the ceasefire with Iran does not extend to the Lebanese militia. “We continue to strike it with force,” Netanyahu asserted. He noted that recent operations dealt Hezbollah its most significant blow since the conflict escalated, hitting 100 targets in just ten minutes, particularly in areas thought to be secure.
This ongoing situation illustrates the complexities surrounding the ceasefire and the intricacies of regional geopolitics as nations navigate their roles and allegiances amidst heightened tensions.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/vance-clarifies-us-iran-ceasefire-scope-iranians-thought-it-included-lebanon-and-it-just-didnt-11775682299407.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-09 02:40:00
