Iran is using the preservation of Lebanon as a key bargaining chip in a major deal with the United States.

Iran is trying to maintain its influence over Lebanon as its last major stronghold in the Mediterranean region and use it as leverage in crucial negotiations with the United States.

June 12, 2569 at 12.59:XNUMX a.m., Reuters reported that Iran is playing a cautious game to maintain Lebanon as its last major base of influence on the Mediterranean coast. They are attempting to tie Lebanon's future to major negotiations with the United States and want to end the war between Hezbollah and Israel under their own terms, rather than letting the Lebanese government dictate the direction.

These efforts are clashing with the US-backed negotiation process between Lebanon and Israel, which aims to end decades-long border conflicts and rebalance the political power in a country constantly caught in the middle of regional power competition.

However, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun insisted that the country would not allow any party to dictate its future.

"The future of Lebanon is in the hands of the Lebanese people, not Iran, and not Israel." Aoun said, reiterating that while Lebanon could cooperate with Iran, it would not allow Iran to make decisions on behalf of the Lebanese government.

"We are a sovereign state. Iran cannot speak for us, and we will not allow Lebanon to become a battleground for others." he said

Aoun also affirmed that he would continue with the diplomatic process, stating that there was no military solution to the conflict and that both Lebanon and Israel needed to come to the negotiating table.

Nevertheless, the situation remains at a standstill, as Hezbollah rejects direct negotiations with Israel, considering it unacceptable, while the Lebanese government states that the group has never offered any alternative plan to end the crisis.

Aoun warned that if Hezbollah continued with its military approach, the group would damage the Shia community that forms its support base and further prolong the conflict that erupted with the March war with Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran has made a ceasefire in Lebanon a key condition for reaching any agreement with the United States, allowing Tehran to maintain influence over the process even without participating directly in the negotiations.

Analysts view Lebanon's importance to Iran as having increased significantly following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria at the end of 2567, which had previously been one of the pillars of the country. The "Axis of Resistance" Built in the region by Iran.

Andreas Creek, a scholar from King's College London, states that Lebanon has become a focal point in Iran's resistance strategy and a key front in its confrontation with Israel.

Iran's direct retaliatory firing on Israel this week, following attacks on the outskirts of Beirut, is a clear signal that Tehran is prepared to defend its interests in Lebanon and marks the first time Iran has directly intervened in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Iranian sources indicate that Iran's red lines include any attempts to undermine Hezbollah's power, normalize attacks on Lebanon, or target Shia communities. This message has been conveyed to both Washington and Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, sources in Lebanon revealed that Iran was displeased with the Lebanese government's decision to initiate negotiations with Israel on its own, viewing it as diminishing Tehran's significant bargaining power in negotiations with the United States.

Negotiations in Washington have made little progress due to the vastly different positions held by both sides.

Lebanon needs a permanent ceasefire as a starting point before proceeding to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the disputed areas and the repatriation of displaced persons under the care of the Lebanese army.

But Israel insists that Hezbollah must be disarmed or at least withdraw from southern Lebanon before it will consider withdrawing its own troops.

Two Lebanese officials said that negotiations with Israel were difficult and nearly collapsed last week before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance directly intervened to keep the discussions moving forward.

The latest proposal from the United States stipulates a ceasefire on the condition that Hezbollah ends its operations and withdraws from southern Lebanon, but there is no clear indication regarding the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

The Lebanese government has proposed a parallel approach: the withdrawal of Israeli troops coupled with the expansion of state authority into the southern region, allowing the Lebanese army to take control of the area. This would involve establishing pilot zones and facilitating the repatriation of displaced persons with international support.

However, Hezbollah immediately rejected the offer, stating that it constituted surrender to Israel's conditions.

Sources close to Hezbollah believe that negotiations in Washington are unlikely to yield any short-term results, and that genuine talks can only begin once the United States and Iran reach a broad ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government faces pressure from two sides: Israel's desire to reduce Hezbollah's military role and Iran's efforts to maintain the group as a strategic tool in the region.

If the stalemate continues, the risk that southern Lebanon will become a permanent conflict zone, preventing large numbers of people from returning to their homes, is steadily increasing.

refer : reuters.com

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