Lead

US Vice President JD Vance has rejected Iran's assertion that Lebanon is covered by the recent US-Iran ceasefire, describing Tehran's position as a "legitimate misunderstanding" that could unravel the fragile truce. Vance's comments, made to reporters before departing Hungary on Wednesday, come amid continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and a diplomatic push by Pakistan, which mediated the ceasefire, to include Lebanon in the agreement.

"The Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn't," Vance said, according to multiple reports. "We never made that promise. We never indicated that was going to be the case."

Coverage comparison

The story has been covered by outlets across the political spectrum, with notable differences in emphasis and tone. Al Jazeera framed the developments critically, highlighting Israel's attacks on Lebanon and the US and Israel's denial of Lebanon's inclusion. Deutsche Welle provided a neutral overview, noting the strains in the ceasefire and the upcoming high-level talks in Pakistan. The Jerusalem Post and TASS both focused on Vance's characterization of Iran's position as a "misunderstanding," with the Jerusalem Post adding context about Pakistan's insistence and Iran's alleged misinterpretation.

Key claims

Vance: Lebanon not part of ceasefire

Vance was unambiguous in stating that Lebanon was never part of the US-Iran ceasefire deal. "We never once said that the ceasefire applied to Lebanon," he said, as reported by TASS and the Jerusalem Post. He added that Washington had made no commitments to Tehran regarding Lebanon's inclusion.

'Legitimate misunderstanding'

Vance attributed the discrepancy to a "legitimate misunderstanding," suggesting that Iran mistakenly believed the truce extended to Lebanon. "There's a lot of bad faith negotiation and a lot of bad faith propaganda going on," he said, according to Al Jazeera. "I think this comes from a legitimate misunderstanding."

Pakistan insists Lebanon is included

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has maintained that Lebanon remains part of the ceasefire, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the truce, announced that "the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon" — a claim contested by the US and Israel.

Continued Israeli strikes

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its military operations in Lebanon. Al Jazeera reported that Israel carried out around 100 strikes in a 10-minute span, killing hundreds of people. Another Al Jazeera report cited "dozens of air strikes" that killed at least 254 people and injured more than 1,100 others. These figures have not been independently verified.

Vance warns Iran

Vance warned Iran not to let the ceasefire collapse over Lebanon, saying, as quoted by multiple outlets: "If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart — in a conflict where they were getting hammered — over Lebanon, which has nothing to do with them and which the United States never once said was part of the ceasefire, that's ultimately their choice. We think that would be dumb, but that's their choice."

Perspectives

US and Israel: The US and Israel maintain that the ceasefire was intended to cover only Iran and US allies in the Gulf, not Lebanon. Vance emphasized that Israel had shown restraint in Lebanon as a gesture to support the negotiations, but that this did not constitute a ceasefire commitment.

Iran: Iran, backed by Pakistan, insists that Lebanon is part of the ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi highlighted the part of Pakistan's statement mentioning Lebanon, writing, "The Iran-US Ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the US must choose — ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both."

Pakistan as mediator: Pakistan, which brokered the deal, continues to push for Lebanon's inclusion, emphasizing that peace in Lebanon is essential to broader regional peace.

Context

Vance's remarks come ahead of his planned trip to Pakistan for high-level talks with Iran, as reported by Deutsche Welle. The talks, which will include US envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, mark one of the highest-level US engagements with Iran in decades. Meanwhile, tensions remain high, with Kuwait accusing Iran of targeting it with drones — a claim Tehran denies — and unconfirmed reports that Iran suspended ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

The ceasefire, announced by President Donald Trump on April 7, was intended to last two weeks. The dispute over Lebanon's inclusion threatens to upend the agreement before the talks in Pakistan begin.