US-Iran Talks Focus On Lebanon, But Israel Says It Won't Tie IDF's Hands: 'No Restrictions'

Last Updated:June 21, 2026, 17:54 IST

Israel Katz says IDF has no restrictions in taking action in Lebanon even as ceasefire holds. US-Iran-Qatar-Pakistan meet begins in Switzerland on a lasting Gulf war accord.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday said soldiers in southern Lebanon have “no restrictions" in eliminating threats to the forces. This comes as US and Iran delegations meet in Switzerland to discuss the memorandum of understanding on war in the Gulf region.

Times of Israel quoted Katz saying in a statement, “There was and is no restriction on IDF soldiers in Lebanon from operating to remove threats."

He further said that “all of the IDF’s achievements in the campaign in Lebanon are being maintained".

“The ceasefire announced yesterday leaves the IDF in all positions within the security zone that protects the northern communities," he says, adding that the IDF “will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon."

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According to The New York Times, the attacks from Israel on Iran-backed Hezbollah likely eased on Sunday as there were no reports of Israeli attacks on Lebanon or Hezbollah strikes on Israelis by midday.

Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaie, Iran’s Deputy of Communications and Information Dissemination of the President’s Office, raised concerns over Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon.

“The continuation of the Zionist regime’s crimes in Lebanon will lead to the invalidation of the entire agreement," he wrote on X, ahead of today’s talks in Switzerland.

Meanwhile, the delegation from Iran, Qatar and the United States on Sunday started talks on a ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s frozen assets.

The Qatar’s foreign ministry, in a statement, announced “the launch of the Lake Lucerne Summit and the first meeting of the high-level committee with the participation of representatives from the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the two mediating states, the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan".

AFP quoted the ministry saying that it hoped the meetings would “lead to a comprehensive and lasting agreement addressing all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding".

The framework was signed on the night of June 17 at the Palace of Versailles in France. US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the memorandum.

The Sunday’s meeting is the first high-level engagement since the two sides reached a preliminary accord aimed at ending nearly four months of conflict.

News world US-Iran Talks Focus On Lebanon, But Israel Says It Won't Tie IDF's Hands: 'No Restrictions'

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