Iran’s demand for a Lebanon ceasefire is now central to Tehran’s message on ending the wider Middle East war. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a ceasefire in Lebanon was one of the main points in Iran’s 10-point plan to end the conflict, according to ISNA.
During a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pezeshkian said Iran’s acceptance of the ceasefire showed a serious commitment to diplomacy. He also said Tehran had long treated a Lebanon ceasefire as one of its core conditions.
As a result, Lebanon now sits at the centre of Iran’s public case for de-escalation. Tehran is not presenting the Lebanese front as a separate issue. Instead, it ties it directly to any broader plan to end the war.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled a very different position. He said Israel remained ready to confront Iran again if necessary, despite the current truce between the United States and Iran.
Netanyahu said Israel still had goals to achieve. He added that those goals could be reached through either an agreement or renewed fighting. He also described the current pause as temporary. In addition, he stressed that Israel could return to combat at any time.
Hezbollah briefly paused attacks on northern Israel and Israeli troops in Lebanon after the US-Iran ceasefire announcement on April 8. People close to the group said it had been told the truce also applied to Hezbollah. For that reason, it initially chose to observe the ceasefire.
Hezbollah’s Position on the Ceasefire
- Hezbollah initially paused attacks on northern Israel and Israeli troops in Lebanon shortly after the US-Iran ceasefire announcement (early April 8). The group said they were informed that the truce applied to them and initially chose to abide by it. reuters.com
- However, Hezbollah insists the ceasefire must include Lebanon and views Israeli strikes as violations. In a statement, the group condemned “barbaric aggression” and reserved the right to respond.
- On April 9 (early hours), Hezbollah resumed rocket fire, targeting the Israeli kibbutz of Manara, explicitly citing Israel’s ceasefire violations and continued strikes in Lebanon.
"Iranians…don't trust Donald Trump, they don't seem to be ready, since the beginning of the war, to take his word at face value ".
Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall says Trump’s announcement is a serious moment in the war, and Iran is likely to respond before the deadline expires. pic.twitter.com/BeQhQxS9dv
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 7, 2026However, Hezbollah insisted that any ceasefire must include Lebanon. The group condemned Israeli strikes as violations and reserved the right to respond. Later, in the early hours of April 9, Hezbollah resumed rocket fire toward Manara, citing continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
A senior Hezbollah lawmaker said the group agreed to abide by the ceasefire after officials confirmed its inclusion in the arrangement, while also accusing Israel of violating the deal. His remarks highlight the fragility of the current truce.
Q: Iranian state media says Iran has now closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon today. What's the White House response?
🇺🇸LEAVITT: The president was made aware of those reports before I came to the podium. That is completely unacceptable pic.twitter.com/sxaTyltIKI
— The Saviour (@TheSaviour) April 8, 2026The White House has also left the door open to broader talks. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump would continue discussing the idea of including Lebanon in an Iran war ceasefire deal with Netanyahu and other parties involved.
Read: Trump, Netanyahu to Discuss Adding Lebanon to Iran Ceasefire
Still, the current US-Iran truce does not cover Lebanon. That omission remains significant because Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel pulled Lebanon deeper into the conflict. As a result, Lebanon remains one of the most significant unresolved issues in efforts to secure a broader settlement
