• Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called on Israel to withdraw from occupied areas in southern Lebanon, emphasizing the right of displaced residents to return.
  • The diplomatic push signals Tehran’s active role in shaping post-conflict arrangements, aligning with allies in Lebanon and Hezbollah.
  • The outcome hinges on multi-party negotiations, including Lebanon’s government, international mediators, and security guarantees.

In a phone call with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf demanded Israel’s full withdrawal from occupied territories in southern Lebanon, according to people familiar with the matter. Ghalibaf stressed that the people of southern Lebanon must be allowed to return to their homes, framing the issue as a key condition for broader regional stability.

The exchange underscores Iran’s use of parliamentary diplomacy to influence ceasefire terms and post-conflict reconstruction. Ghalibaf’s outreach comes amid ongoing attempts to solidify a fragile truce along the Lebanon-Israel border, where tensions have simmered since the latest round of hostilities. The call also included discussions on prisoner exchanges and asset recovery, according to informed sources.

Lebanon’s government, Hezbollah, and international mediators are now grappling with the logistics of withdrawal. Without a credible enforcement mechanism, analysts warn that promises of withdrawal could remain empty. The situation is further complicated by the presence of UNIFIL peacekeepers, whose mandate has been a recurring flashpoint.

“We have a constant balance with the banks, which really we consider our partners and not only our binary competitors,” said Cecile Mayer-Levi, head of private debt activity at Tikehau Capital SCA (TCON), in a separate context. The quote, though from a different sector, reflects the kind of partnership dynamics that will be needed to stabilize the region.

Attempts to reach Ghalibaf’s office for comment were unsuccessful. The call signals Iran’s determination to maintain leverage over Lebanon’s political trajectory, even as Western-mediated frameworks push for a different approach. The coming days will be critical as stakeholders weigh the feasibility of a full withdrawal and the safe return of displaced civilians.