‘Cannot Have Both’: Iran Foreign Minister Warns US To Choose Ceasefire Or War Over Lebanon

Last Updated:April 09, 2026, 14:51 IST

The remarks followed Israel’s announcement of its largest wave of attacks across Lebanon since launching a new military operation in early March.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the United States must choose between upholding a ceasefire or continuing conflict through Israel amid escalating violence in Lebanon.

“The Iran–US Ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the US must choose, ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both," Araghchi said. The remarks followed Israel’s announcement of its largest wave of attacks across Lebanon since launching a new military operation in early March. Lebanon’s Civil Defence said at least 254 people were killed and 1,165 wounded in the strikes.

Iran maintains that the ceasefire framework- based on a 10-point proposal accepted in principle by Washington and mediated by Pakistan- includes a halt to attacks across all fronts, including Lebanon. Araghchi reiterated that the agreement explicitly covered Lebanese territory.

Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance rejected that interpretation, saying the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon and attributing the disagreement to a “legitimate misunderstanding" during negotiations.

Speaking in Budapest, JD Vance said the agreement applies only to Iran, the United States and its allies, including Israel and Gulf states, and warned Tehran against jeopardising the deal over Lebanon. The disagreement marks an early challenge in efforts to formalise a broader agreement, even as a US delegation is set to travel to Pakistan for further talks.

“If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart, in a conflict where they were getting hammered, over Lebanon, which has nothing to do with them and which the United States never once said was part of the ceasefire, that’s ultimately their choice," JD Vance said, adding, “We think that would be dumb, but that’s their choice."

News world ‘Cannot Have Both’: Iran Foreign Minister Warns US To Choose Ceasefire Or War Over Lebanon

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