Israel rules out withdrawing from Lebanon despite US-Iran deal
Israeli and Lebanese flags are seen in an area near the border, backdropped by destroyed buildings in southern Lebanon as viewed from northern Israel, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
The future of Israel’s offensive against Lebanon remained a major question mark on June 15, as Israeli officials signaled that any U.S.-Iran agreement would not be binding on Israel, raising doubts about prospects for de-escalation.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are pursuing a clear policy under which the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an unlimited period of time, in order to protect the border and Israeli communities from there against jihadist elements,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
Katz also threatened that if Iran attacks Israel over Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Israel will strike Iran with “great force.”
