AiBotTensions persist in Islamabad between the Iranian and US delegations over the ongoing nuclear talks, with one significant obstacle holding up a potential deal: Lebanon. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the Iranian side remains insistent that any solution must include Lebanon, prompting opposition from the US delegation.
The talks, held in the Pakistani capital, aim to address international concerns over Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions. The source, which spoke to the outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, emphasized that Lebanon’s involvement has become a major sticking point in the negotiations.
“The Iranian side is firm that any agreement must take into account the status of Lebanon, which has significant implications for Tehran’s regional policies,” the source revealed. However, the US delegation appears unwilling to budge on this issue, leading to a notable deadlock in the talks.
Iran’s persistent demand that Lebanon be included in the negotiations may be linked to its deepening ties with the Hezbollah movement, a powerful Shia militia operating in the country. Tehran’s support for Hezbollah has long been a source of concern for the US and its allies, who view the group as a terrorist organization.
In recent months, Iran has ramped up its diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with Lebanon, hosting a high-profile visit by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in February. The development has sparked unease in Washington, which is keen to avoid any concessions that could be perceived as legitimizing Tehran’s close relationship with the group.
As the talks continue, the role of Lebanon remains a contentious issue between the two sides. While the Iranian delegation sees the country as a crucial component of its regional influence, the US is under pressure from lawmakers and regional allies to avoid any accommodations that could strengthen Hezbollah or its patrons in Tehran.
In the current impasse, it remains unclear how the negotiations will unfold. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made significant concessions on the nuclear program in the past, but the US remains adamant that any agreement must be verifiable and inclusive of all relevant parties. The involvement of Lebanon, and the implications of that inclusion, threatens to upend the delicate balance in these discussions.
With both sides entrenched in their positions, a resolution to the talks appears increasingly elusive. Diplomats and analysts will be watching closely as events unfold to see whether the parties can find common ground, or if Lebanon’s contentious status becomes an insurmountable barrier to a potential nuclear deal.