Iran says any Lebanon ceasefire should be simultaneous with Gaza

Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi meets with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Mikati in Beirut

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Tehran backs efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon on the condition it would be backed by Hezbollah and simultaneous with a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said in Beirut on Friday.

“We support efforts for a ceasefire on the condition that it would be acceptable to the Lebanese people, acceptable to the resistance, and thirdly, it would be synchronized with a ceasefire in Gaza,” he said.

Iran’s most senior diplomat also said his presence in Beirut “in these difficult circumstances” was the best evidence that Iran stood by Lebanon and supported the Shi’ites.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Alex Richardson)