Vance: It is up to Iran to decide if it wants the ceasefire to 'collapse' over Lebanon

(Patria) - US Vice President JD Vance called on Iran not to allow the fragile ceasefire agreement to collapse due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, a few days before he is scheduled to lead talks with Tehran in Pakistan, AFP reported.

While the Iranian president said that the ceasefire in Lebanon is a key condition for ending the war in the Middle East, Vance said he believes there was a "legitimate misunderstanding."

"I think the Iranians thought the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it simply did not. We never made that promise," Vance said as he left Hungary, where he was visiting to boost the re-election chances of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

"If Iran wants to allow these negotiations to collapse... over Lebanon, which has nothing to do with them and which the United States never said was part of the ceasefire, that is ultimately their choice."

A day after Washington and Tehran agreed on a two-week ceasefire, Israel carried out its heaviest attacks on Lebanon since the Hezbollah group joined the war in early March.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 112 people were killed and hundreds wounded in the attacks.

However, Vance said the Israelis offered to show restraint.
"The Israelis... actually offered to be, frankly, to exercise some restraint in Lebanon, because they want to ensure our talks are successful," Vance said.
The US Vice President said President Donald Trump expects Iran to fulfill its promise to open the Strait of Hormuz for oil traffic.
"Frankly, if they break their part of the deal, then they will face serious consequences," Vance added.

Vance is expected to lead the negotiating team, which includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, in Islamabad for "face-to-face" talks with Iran on Saturday, the White House earlier announced.