As Iran set a cease-fire on the Lebanon front as a key condition in follow-up talks after a truce agreement with the United States, Israel reaffirmed it will continue its presence in southern Lebanon.
Israel Defense Minister Katz issued a statement on the 21st (local time) saying there are "no limits, past or present," to Israel Defense Forces operations to eliminate security threats in Lebanon.
Minister Katz said the recently announced cease-fire allows the Israel Defense Forces to maintain positions within a security zone to defend northern communities. He added, "The Israel Defense Forces will never withdraw from the Lebanon security zone."
Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, said on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "Iran will closely and seriously watch the process of the United States, the counterparty, carrying out its promises."
Spokesperson Baghaei said the talks in Switzerland are meant to review implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending the war, signed on the 18th. He said that under Article 13 of the memorandum, the start of negotiations for a final agreement depends on whether Articles 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 are implemented.
In particular, he emphasized that unless "ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon," as stipulated in Article 1, is implemented, the process cannot move to the negotiation phase for a final agreement.