Iran Warns Israeli Strikes In Lebanon Could Undermine US–Iran Deal

Iran has accused Israel of repeatedly breaching a Lebanon truce tied to a reported US–Iran understanding and warned that continued attacks could provoke a "harsh response" from Tehran. The allegations follow Israeli drone strikes that killed four people in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh governorate.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said any final accord with Washington must include sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. Tehran also says the understanding requires an immediate end to a US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

What We Know

Lebanon Central To Any Deal
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera's Tohid Asadi said Iranian officials have consistently described a region-wide ceasefire — and a halt to hostilities in Lebanon in particular — as "part and parcel" of any agreement with the United States.

Tankers Challenge Blockade Line
TankerTrackers reported that the oil tanker Sonia I, carrying about one million barrels of Iranian crude, passed the US Navy's so-called "blockade line" in the Gulf of Oman at 01:11 GMT. It followed two other Iranian tankers that together carried roughly 3.8 million barrels. Tehran cites these movements as part of its expectation that any understanding with Washington would end maritime pressure on Iranian ports.

Analyst: Fighting Could Unravel Deal
Doug Bandow, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, warned that renewed fighting in Lebanon could cause any US–Iran agreement to unravel unless Washington exerts sustained pressure on Israel to stop strikes there. Bandow noted the United States has significant leverage through military and financial support for Israel but questioned whether US administrations would withhold that backing long enough to enforce the terms.

International Reactions
A Canadian official, Mark Carney, described a preliminary copy of the agreement as having "exceeded my expectations" and said Canada was "very pleased with the deal," though terms have not been made public. US official J.D. Vance said the deal is "very simple," arguing Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon and that Tehran can reap "real benefits" if it complies with restrictions and ceases support for groups the US labels as terrorists.

Hebron Move Raises Annexation Fears
Reporting from Ramallah, Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's transfer of planning powers in Hebron to the Israeli military undermines the 1997 Hebron Agreement and reflects a broader push toward de facto annexation. Observers say such moves may be politically popular domestically while also exacerbating tensions with Washington amid high-stakes negotiations with Iran.

Public Opinion In Israel
A survey by Israel's public broadcaster Kan found limited support for the reported US–Iran understanding: just 18 percent of respondents backed the agreement while 55 percent opposed it. The poll also found 70 percent of respondents still view Iran as a threat and split views about the future of US–Israel ties.

Latest Violence
At least four people were killed in Israeli drone strikes in Nabatieh governorate, the National News Agency reported. Those attacks are likely to inflame Iranian accusations that Israel is violating the truce tied to the US–Iran understanding and risk undermining the agreement.

Note: This article corrects and clarifies some originally reported official titles and phrasing to reflect a neutral, accurate presentation of sources and statements.