Arabic → English transcript

According to the text of the signed memorandum of understanding between

Washington and Tehran, the

Lebanese file is not an independent item in itself, but it represents a

pivotal pillar to stabilize the agreement.

Three main headings regarding Lebanon were included in the memorandum,

the first of which is related to military operations,

as the first paragraph stipulates

that the United States, Iran, and their allies declare an immediate and

permanent halt to operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. The same paragraph

included a commitment to ensuring Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity,

which is the first text in a public US- Iranian memorandum of understanding that

explicitly stipulates this matter.

The memorandum also stipulates that the final agreement,

which is supposed to be negotiated within 60 days, will confirm the permanent end

of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, which means that the

Lebanese arena will be part of the comprehensive settlement and not just a

side issue. But, what did the memorandum not include regarding Lebanon?

Despite Lebanon's inclusion in the agreement,

the text does not include any explicit clauses

regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah

and the nature of its political or military role, nor did it

include any detailed security arrangements between Israel and Lebanon.

Therefore, the memorandum sets a general framework to stop the war in

Lebanon and respect its sovereignty, but it does not address the most sensitive

security and political issues, which are expected to be the focus of subsequent

negotiations if the memorandum develops into a final agreement. US President

Donald Trump announced that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun

will visit the White House within a week or two, noting that the Lebanon file

will be among the issues up for discussion between the two sides.

Trump considered that the Lebanese file is a small part

of the broader regional picture compared to the agreement with Iran,

but on the other hand, it generates a lot of noise and interest,

in Trump's words. For his part,

the Lebanese President insisted that his country have an independent path in the

negotiations, emphasizing that negotiations are conducted by the Lebanese state,

and no one will take its place. As for the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi,

he emphasized

that ending the war in the region will not be complete without the withdrawal of

Israeli forces from the Lebanese territories they occupied during the war,

considering that the continuation of this presence constitutes a violation of the

memorandum of understanding. A position praised by the

Secretary- General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, considering that linking the Lebanese

front to the Iranian position forced Israel to stop its aggression.

On the Israeli side, Axios quoted

an advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying

that Israel does not consider itself bound by the part related to Lebanon in the

memorandum of understanding, adding that

Netanyahu informed Trump that Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon

unless Hezbollah is disarmed.