Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared that any potential peace accord between Tehran and the United States hinges on Israel ending its military campaign in Lebanon. In a series of statements shared on X this past Sunday, Khamenei emphasized that protecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and securing a total, unconditional stop to Israeli aggression are vital requirements for ending hostilities.
Khamenei used the platform to reaffirm his backing for Hezbollah, the memory of its late leader Hassan Nasrallah, and the civilians living in southern Lebanon. He described the support of these groups as a core strategic duty for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
These remarks arrive during a period of ongoing diplomatic activity between Iran and the United States aimed at de-escalation. Tehran has consistently signaled that stopping Israeli strikes is a non-negotiable step for finishing the conflict. This demand was initially codified in a June memorandum of understanding, though that pact has since faltered due to rising tensions regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
