Israel Won't Commit to the U.S.-Iran Deal, Which Could Destroy the Whole Agreement
Iran had argued that any deal must include a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Israel said it will not withdraw from Lebanon and it does not commit to this deal.
The U.S. and Iran reached a digitally signed interim framework on June 15, 2026, designed to halt direct fighting for a 60-day negotiation window. Core terms include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing immediate U.S. military pressure, and deferring harder issues like sanctions, uranium stockpiles, and ballistic missile programs. On paper, it offers both sides breathing room from an expensive conflict.
But a critical precondition poses a threat to the entire agreement: Iran insisted that fighting must stop on all fronts, including Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah has been engaged with Israel. The United States initially tried to treat Lebanon separately, but Iran’s Foreign Minister reconfirmed that a comprehensive halt to fighting on all fronts is non-negotiable. Israel, however, has publicly stated it will not withdraw from southern Lebanon and does not consider itself bound by the U.S.-Iran framework. This creates a structural problem: if Israel continues operations in Lebanon, Iran can claim the deal is void, or Hezbollah can unilaterally resume attacks.
Host Hovik Manucharyan points out that the agreement hinges on the assumption that all major parties will honor it. Yet Israel has already signaled it will not. This means the deal remains hostage to Israeli decision-making, giving Israel de facto veto power over the entire arrangement. Either the U.S. can pressure Israel to withdraw (unlikely, given the Israel lobby’s control of Congress), or the agreement becomes a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. while the Lebanon front remains a spark that could reignite the broader conflict at any moment.
Transcript
Hovik: we know that part of this deal that Iran is putting as a precondition is the issue Hovik: in Lebanon. Hovik: Israel is still actively engaged in Lebanon. Hovik: And Iran has argued that any deal must include a halt to Israeli attacks on Hovik: Lebanon, Hovik: where of course there is a Hezbollah presence. Hovik: and the U.S. had essentially tried to treat Lebanon separately but Iran's foreign Hovik: minister just reconfirmed that fighting on all fronts must stop including Lebanon Hovik: and of course Israel said it will not withdraw from Lebanon and it does not commit Hovik: to this deal so one of the obvious questions is that how many cards does Hovik: Israel hold in all this and considering the Hovik: overwhelming control of the U.S. Hovik: legislature by the Israel lobby, Hovik: I think that not everything is as peachy as some would like to believe.