Lead:

A memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran has placed Lebanon at the center of regional diplomatic attention, with all major Lebanese political actors responding to its implications. The agreement, which Iranian officials confirm includes an explicit provision on ending hostilities in Lebanon, has generated cautious optimism domestically while exposing deep fault lines between Washington and Tel Aviv over the terms and timeline of any Israeli withdrawal.

Details:

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed, in remarks carried by Newsd, that Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory is expected to proceed in phases over sixty days. Berri held separate phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghji, during which both sides discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region. According to Newsd, Araghji also contacted President Joseph Aoun, expressing Tehran's support for Lebanese stability and recovery. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ismail Baghei, cited by Al-Diyar, affirmed that ending the war in Lebanon constitutes a fixed and non-negotiable clause within the memorandum.

Hezbollah's senior official Mahmoud Qomati, quoted by both Newsd and Al-Diyar, stated that the full details of the US-Iran agreement had not yet been formally transmitted to the party, but confirmed Hezbollah's readiness to cooperate with the Lebanese Army to consolidate state authority. The party separately issued a statement welcoming the memorandum, describing Lebanon's inclusion as evidence of Iran's commitment to Lebanese rights, according to Al-Akhbar.

However, significant ambiguity persists regarding Israeli intentions. Al-Akhbar reports that a senior American official confirmed Israeli withdrawal is not a precondition of the US-Iran deal, and that Washington continues to affirm Israel's right to self-defense. Al-Diyar reported tensions between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Washington, with Israeli officials acknowledging disappointment following the agreement's announcement and insisting on maintaining a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. An-Nahar noted that the Washington declaration following earlier negotiating rounds on June 2 and 3 did not explicitly reference Israeli withdrawal, a position that drew rejection from Berri and Hezbollah.

Lebanon's official position, according to Al-Diyar, remains anchored in the principle of separating its file from broader regional arrangements, refusing any linkage to parallel diplomatic tracks. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, speaking at the opening of a cabinet session reported by Newsd, expressed hope that the US-Iran understanding would pave the way for a comprehensive end to hostilities and reflected Lebanon's sustained diplomatic effort since the war's outbreak.

Watch For:

Whether the sixty-day phased withdrawal framework cited by Berri will receive explicit American and Israeli endorsement in any formal document.

The fate of UNIFIL's mandate, with Al-Akhbar noting a growing divide between European states seeking to preserve the force and Washington reportedly pushing for its termination.

The status of the Shebaa Farms question, flagged by An-Nahar as a compounding territorial dispute involving Lebanon, Syria, and Israel that remains unresolved.