▲ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Kuwait
On June 24, local time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the role of the Lebanese regular army regarding the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon—a key variable in implementing the US-Iran war termination agreement—effectively acknowledging the necessity of Israel's presence there for now.
Rubio, who is currently touring the Middle East, met with reporters in Kuwait, his second stop, and pointed out, "The only reason Israel is in Lebanon is because Hezbollah (Iran's proxy) is launching rockets and drones from there (into Israel)."
He added, "The Lebanese (regular) army and the legitimate, sovereign Lebanese government must gradually control and secure more of their own territory. The more the Lebanese army secures, the less territory Hezbollah will control, and Israel will reduce its (occupied) areas in Lebanon accordingly. That is the core of this negotiation."
The "negotiation" mentioned by Rubio refers to the peace talks between Israel and the Lebanese government, mediated by the US State Department in the United States.
These talks resumed the previous day, and Rubio stated they "will continue today and tomorrow."
Rubio explained that "one of the issues discussed in the negotiations is the establishment of 'pilot zones,'" describing a process where "the Lebanese army enters (Israeli-occupied areas) to secure control and maintain security, and then moves on to the next pilot zone."
Iran has demanded that Israeli forces withdraw from occupied areas in southern Lebanon for subsequent negotiations to implement the US-Iran war termination memorandum of understanding (MOU) to proceed.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, head of the Iranian negotiation delegation, pressured Israel to withdraw on the same day, saying, "For us, a ceasefire in Lebanon is as important as a ceasefire in Iran, and furthermore, ending the war in Lebanon is as important as ending the war in Iran."
Rubio repeatedly emphasized that accepting nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is "a promise Iran made and a promise they must keep," and that the inspectors' reentry into Iran should happen "as quickly as possible."
Regarding Iran's push to collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, he said, "The entire world will oppose any mechanism that charges money for using international waterways," adding, "I do not know of any country in the world that supports imposing tolls or fees for using the strait."
In response to pointing out that limits on Iran's missile and drone capabilities were not specified in the MOU, Rubio replied, "We will not do anything that undermines the security of our long-standing allies in the region (the Gulf region)."
Rubio stated that working-level talks with Iran to discuss denuclearization measures and other issues will be held in Switzerland on June 29 or 30, proceeding by sector, such as nuclear issues and sanctions.
Rubio said, "They (the negotiators) are divided into several thematic working groups. They will return to Switzerland," adding, "The (bilateral) working groups will reconvene, and I think it will be on the 30th."
After signing the MOU on June 14, the US and Iran held high-level talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, over the past weekend to implement the MOU, followed by their first working-level talks through June 23.
Addressing concerns that Iran could use export revenues for military purposes while receiving a 60-day sanctions waiver on oil sales, Rubio said, "That is a process of give-and-take (with the implementation of denuclearization commitments)."
He added, "If they do not keep their promises, the president has various options, including snapping back the sanctions waiver."
Regarding the partial easing of oil sanctions on Russia during the war, Rubio said, "It was a temporary measure aimed at helping stabilize the global market," adding, "Since oil prices are falling, that (ending the easing measure) is certainly an option available to the president."
Rubio explained, "Ultimately, it is a matter for the president to decide as the expiration date approaches. If the (falling oil price) trend continues, the president will have to take that into account when making a decision."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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