Khatibzadeh told Al Jazeera that although considerable progress has been made in diplomacy, the United States needs to ensure that Israel stops attacking Lebanon.
Published June 19, 2026
Iran’s deputy foreign minister said that Iran is willing to continue the diplomatic process with the United States if the United States is serious about honoring the agreement and guarantees that Israel abides by the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“If the other side shows the same seriousness, we are ready to move forward step by step,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Friday.
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His comments came after U.S.-Iranian talks scheduled for Friday in Switzerland were called off, and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance also canceled a planned visit to Switzerland.
Earlier, officials, including mediators Pakistan and Qatar, announced that the two countries would meet at Burgenstock to begin negotiations on a number of issues outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed this week between the United States and Iran.
Reports said the talks may have been called off following heavy fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Friday. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least 47 people were killed in Israeli attacks that began after midnight.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Prime Minister Khatibzadeh condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon and said Israel’s “continuation of the war” would have “serious and immediate consequences.”
He said Iran seeks “peace on all fronts, including Gaza,” and explained that Lebanon was included in the memorandum because it is directly involved in the conflict.
Article 1 of the Memorandum specifies that ending the Lebanon War is an integral part of a broader cease-fire agreement across all fronts.
“There can be no peace or stability in Lebanon and the region without an end to the occupation and Israel’s commitment to international law,” Khatibzadeh added.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, he said Iran will continue to cooperate with Oman and provide navigation services in accordance with international law.
He added that the Iranian government would not impose tolls during the 60-day period stipulated in the agreement, but said new mechanisms for managing the waterway would then be introduced and presented to regional countries.
Khatibzadeh also said any future agreement must include the release of all frozen Iranian funds.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghai said on Friday that the necessary talks on the U.S. deal were being held through a mediator and that a formal announcement would be made once the conditions for starting negotiations were met.
Regarding the Lebanese ceasefire, which is necessary for continued U.S.-Iranian talks, Hezbollah officials told Al Jazeera that the ceasefire will remain in place if Israel abides by it.
“Israel remains firmly committed to an immediate ceasefire. If Hezbollah abides by the agreement and ceases hostilities, they will be met with peace,” Ekiel Reiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, told X.
