US Vice President JD Vance said that the US did not agree that Lebanon would be part of the two-week ceasefire that is part of ongoing talks with Iran, according to Reuters.
The issue drew new attention after Israel launched heavy strikes Wednesday against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Reuters reported that the attacks put fresh strain on the ceasefire and prompted Iran to threaten to pull back from negotiations with Washington.
According to Reuters, stopping Israeli attacks on Hezbollah was one of Iran’s key demands for the ceasefire. Vance, however, said there had been a real misunderstanding between Washington and Tehran over whether Lebanon was covered.
Speaking during a visit to Hungary, Vance said Iranian officials appeared to think the ceasefire also applied to Lebanon. He said the United States had never made that promise and had never suggested that Lebanon was part of the arrangement.
Vance said the ceasefire was focused on Iran and US partners, including Israel and Gulf Arab states, Reuters reported.
He also said Israel had offered to show some restraint in Lebanon to help the talks succeed. According to Reuters, Vance said that was not because Lebanon was formally part of the ceasefire, but because Israeli officials were trying to help move the diplomatic effort forward.
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