Iran has made clear that it wants more than a pause in fighting, with Iran rejecting a temporary ceasefire emerging as the central message in the latest regional diplomacy. Tehran says any agreement must bring a full and lasting end to the war, rather than another short-term halt that could collapse within days.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran would not accept another temporary ceasefire and instead wants a comprehensive settlement covering the broader conflict zone, from Lebanon to the Red Sea.
Iran’s position adds pressure to already fragile negotiations. Tehran views the current truce arrangements as insufficient and seeks a more comprehensive framework that addresses broader regional issues. That includes not only the fighting itself, but also sanctions and the long-term structure of any peace deal. At the same time, US President Donald Trump has said any halt in military action would remain conditional and that hostilities could resume if diplomacy fails. This leaves both sides publicly talking about diplomacy while also warning that the conflict could quickly restart.
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight on April 16-17, 2026. Trump announced the deal after talks in Washington, while the US State Department said the truce could be extended if negotiations make progress.
However, the ceasefire comes with strict conditions. Lebanon must show that it can assert sovereignty and prevent attacks by Hezbollah or other non-state groups. The agreement also allows Israel to defend itself against any planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. That means the truce is active, but it is far from unconditional. Its future depends on what happens on the ground during the current 10-day window.
The Lebanon ceasefire may help broader US-Iran diplomacy, but major gaps remain. These include disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions, regional armed groups, and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan has again emerged as a possible venue for further talks, underscoring its growing role as a mediator in the crisis. Even so, Iran continues to demand a permanent end to the war, while Washington continues to keep military pressure on the table, leaving the path to a durable agreement uncertain. For now, the diplomatic picture remains mixed: one side is observing a temporary truce, another is continuing negotiations, and there is no clear sign that the broader conflict is nearing an end.
