Lebanon Dispute Complicates Iran Nuclear Talks

Hezbollah has, for the first time, publicly linked the future of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States to the continued presence of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

According to a statement by the movement, Tehran will not be willing to conclude a final agreement with Washington unless Israel ends its military presence in the territories occupied during the recent conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi also stated that a permanent Israeli presence in Lebanon could be perceived as a violation of the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran.

Despite a decrease in the intensity of fighting following the conclusion of a preliminary agreement, Israel has announced that it will not withdraw its troops for the time being.

Upcoming talks between Washington and Tehran are also expected to address sensitive issues related to the nuclear program.

(Reuters, mja)