Iran says ceasefire in Lebanon remains condition for US deal

June 1, 2026

This screen grab made on June 1, 2026, from an undated handout video released by the Israeli army shows Israeli troops operating inside the Beaufort Castle in Arnoun, southern Lebanon, after the army took control of the medieval site over the weekend. The Lebanese president said on June 1, that his country was facing “a vicious and reprehensible Israeli aggression”, after Israel stepped up its offensive against Hezbollah with the capture of the medieval Beaufort Castle. (Photo by Israeli Army / AFP) /

Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a key condition for any deal with the United States to end the Middle East war.

“We insist that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any deal aimed at ending the war,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a weekly press briefing, as Israel expands its offensive in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to push deeper into Lebanon, and the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday after Israel’s military took control of the medieval Beaufort castle.