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Iran has suspended indirect exchanges and text-sharing with the United States through mediators in protest over continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.
According to the report, the decision was taken in response to what Iran described as ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon, which Tehran considers one of the conditions underpinning broader ceasefire arrangements in the region.
Tasnim said the Iranian negotiating team would halt “talks and exchanges of texts through mediators” until its demands regarding Gaza and Lebanon are met.
The report said Iranian officials and negotiators have stressed the need for an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a full Israeli withdrawal from areas occupied in Lebanon.
“As long as Iran’s and the resistance front’s position on these issues is not addressed, there will be no talks,” Tasnim said.
The development comes as Israel expands military operations in southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that took effect in April.
Earlier Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said a ceasefire in Lebanon remained “an essential condition” for any agreement aimed at ending the conflict and accused the United States of bearing responsibility for Israeli actions because of its support for Israel.
Tasnim also reported that Iran and allied groups within the so-called “Axis of Resistance” had decided to prepare responses to Israeli attacks and consider opening additional fronts.
According to the report, measures under consideration include the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the activation of other fronts, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait, as a means of increasing pressure on Israel and its allies.
The report did not indicate whether any final decisions had been taken regarding those measures.
The suspension of mediator-led contacts comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional actors, including Pakistan, to revive indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington and secure a broader agreement following the April ceasefire.
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