Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Rejects U.S. Israel Cease-Fire Proposal

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Iran's acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, during his visit to Lebanon, vehemently dismissed the Gaza cease-fire proposal put forth by U.S. President Joe Biden. In a bold statement, Bagheri Kani also warned Israel against initiating a full-scale war against Lebanon. This visit marks Bagheri Kani's first official diplomatic engagement since the death of his predecessor, Hossein Amirabdollahian, in a helicopter crash last month.

 

During a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Bagheri Kani criticized the U.S. cease-fire proposal. He argued that instead of proposing plans for a cease-fire, the U.S. should take the decisive step of ending all aid to Israel. "If the Americans are honest, then instead of proposing plans under the name of ceasefire, they must take one step, which is end all aid to the Israeli entity," he stated. "Only once the aid is cut from the Israeli entity, the entity won’t have the tools and ability to commit crimes against the Palestinians and the war will end."

 

Tehran, a staunch supporter of Palestinian militant factions in Gaza, views the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah as a primary line of defense in any potential direct conflict with Israel. Hezbollah has been engaged in clashes with Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border since October, in the context of Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. These hostilities have intensified, especially after Israel's incursion into Rafah, a significant town in southern Gaza.

 

Bagheri Kani underscored the consequences of Israel underestimating Hezbollah's capabilities. "The entity which is trapped in the swamp in Gaza, if it had the basic rationality, shouldn’t put itself in a similar situation with the strong Lebanese resistance," he warned. Describing Lebanon as the "cradle of resistance," he emphasized that Israel, already entangled in Gaza, would only further complicate its situation by engaging in war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

 

Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bouhabib, echoed the desire to avoid a broader conflict and seek sustainable solutions for stability in southern Lebanon. "Lebanon wants to avoid a wider war and is looking for sustainable solutions that restore calm and stability to southern Lebanon," Bouhabib stated.

 

During his visit, Bagheri Kani met with several high-ranking Lebanese officials, including Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He also held discussions with various Palestinian factions but refrained from disclosing detailed outcomes of these meetings, indicating that official statements would follow.

 

Bagheri Kani's diplomatic efforts will continue with a visit to Syria. The region remains tense, especially after an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus in April, which set off a series of escalatory attacks. Despite recent attempts by Iran and Israel to de-escalate tensions, the situation remains volatile, with Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups vowing to continue their attacks on Israel until the conflict in Gaza is resolved.

 

The fighting along the Lebanon-Israeli border has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. More than 400 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, including a majority of militants and over 70 civilians and noncombatants. On the Israeli side, at least 15 soldiers and 10 civilians have lost their lives. This ongoing conflict exacerbates the already fragile situation in the region and underscores the complexities of achieving peace.

 

Bagheri Kani's visit to Lebanon and his firm stance against the U.S. cease-fire proposal highlight the intricate and often contentious dynamics at play in the Middle East. As the situation continues to unfold, the actions and decisions of regional and international actors will play a critical role in shaping the future of this volatile region.

 

Credit: Washington Post 2024-06-05

 

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[Bkk Brian]

The head of the snake does not approve. What will Hamas do? Ignore its paymaster and and number one supporter?