Beirut will not change its position due to increased military actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and will continue peace talks with Tel Aviv, as there is no alternative path to achieving peace. This was announced on June 1 by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
“Negotiations are safer than war,” Aoun stated. “We have seen and continue to see the disasters of war and its consequences. However, negotiations will not solve the problem in a matter of minutes; this is a path that takes time, and we have no other choice.”
Aoun emphasized that he does not consider participation in the negotiations to be a capitulation or concession but sees them as the only solution to “stop the conflict with minimal damage.”
Meanwhile, representatives from Washington and Tehran are discussing ways to resolve the crisis in Qatar. Earlier that day, Iran announced its intention to completely block the Strait of Hormuz and activate other fronts to exert pressure on Israel due to fighting in Lebanon. Iranian officials demanded the complete withdrawal of enemy troops from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, warning that suspended negotiations with the United States would not resume without such a retreat.
On the same day, Esmail Bagai, Iran’s representative at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that guarantees of a cease-fire in Lebanon are a prerequisite for Tehran to conclude an agreement on the settlement of the conflict between the United States and Israel. He added that no negotiations had been held on nuclear details, with the cessation of hostilities being the immediate priority.
