A senior official from the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah told dpa on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic had made it "very clear" that it would only sign an agreement with the United States if it included an Israeli pullout from Lebanon.
The issue was one of Iran's "top priorities," the official said, describing Iran as Hezbollah's most important backer.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera has reported that Iran's pledge to Hezbollah related to the next phase of negotiations with the US. An Israeli withdrawal from the neighbouring country would be made a condition for the talks, "not necessarily for the first phase but as an end point."
Israeli observers also speculated that the pledge related to a possible final agreement between the US and Iran rather than the framework agreement due to be signed on Friday in Switzerland.
Israel wants to keep troops in Lebanon "as long as necessary"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Monday evening that Israel's army would remain in "security zones" in the Gaza Strip, in southern Lebanon and in Syria "as long as necessary."
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Iran had ensured the "immediate and permanent end of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." This was the "first and fundamental clause" in the framework agreement between Washington and Tehran in the Iran war, he said.
"Iran has given Hezbollah and Lebanon everything and taken nothing in return," Qassem said.
