Israel announces it will stay in southern Lebanon – despite framework agreement between the US and Iran

Background of the framework agreement

After weeks of negotiations, the US and Iran had reached a preliminary agreement to end their war. The deal is to be signed on Friday in Geneva, Switzerland. A halt to the fighting in Lebanon is part of the US-Iran framework agreement aimed at ending their war. The exact wording of the framework agreement was not initially released. A government employee said, according to SRF's Middle East correspondent: «Schwierigster Teil steht noch bevor».

Among other things, the agreement provides for the cessation of attacks in Lebanon – a condition under which Iran had agreed to the deal. Switzerland welcomed the declaration of intent between the US and Iran. Qatar described the agreement in the Iran war as a step toward «nachhaltigem Frieden». EU Commission President von der Leyen stated that the priority is the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. French President Macron called for the swift implementation of the agreement.

Despite the diplomatic rapprochement, fighting in the region continued. Arab media reported scattered further clashes in Lebanon. Israel continued airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to reports, and accordingly continued its attacks in Lebanon despite the framework agreement. In addition, an attempted raid on a container ship off the coast of Yemen was reported.

Israel's position on conquered territories

Defense Minister Katz announced that Israel will also hold positions in Syria and in the Gaza Strip indefinitely. Over the past two and a half years, Israel has brought territories in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria under its control. The area covers roughly 1,000 square kilometers. This significantly extends Israel's sphere of military influence in the region.

At the same time, Katz threatened that Israel would attack with "great severity" should Iran carry out retaliatory strikes because of events in Lebanon. The warning was directed straight at the Iranian leadership and underscored Israel's readiness to respond militarily to possible escalations. The Israeli Air Force had accordingly continued its strikes on southern Lebanon even after the preliminary agreement became known.

International reactions and risks

International reactions to the framework agreement were mixed. While Switzerland welcomed the declaration of intent and Qatar described it as a step toward sustainable peace, SRF's Middle East correspondents pointed out that the most difficult part of the implementation still lies ahead. A return to normal operations in the Strait of Hormuz will take time, according to diplomatic circles.

Israel's announcement to remain in southern Lebanon poses considerable challenges to the implementation of the framework agreement. One of the core conditions for Iran's consent to the deal was the end of attacks in Lebanon. As long as Israeli troops and airstrikes remain present in the neighboring country, it remains unclear whether the ceasefire agreed upon in Geneva will actually hold.

Meanwhile, developments in the Strait of Hormuz, a central sea route for the global oil trade, remain a critical factor. Von der Leyen had named the opening of the strait as a priority of European policy. A return to normal operations in the Strait of Hormuz will take time, according to involved circles. The attempted raid on a container ship off Yemen also showed how fragile the security situation in the region remains.

The news about the negotiations was broadcast on 15.06.2026 on the program Deutschlandfunk. The coming days will show whether the preliminary agreement reached in Geneva will actually lead to a comprehensive ceasefire, or whether the divergent positions – particularly between Israel and Iran – will continue to make a viable peace settlement more difficult.