Anticipation for Negotiations: Iran Threatens to Respond if Attacks on Lebanon Continue and Washington Hopes for a 'Positive Outcome'

SadaNews - Iran threatened today, Friday, to respond "forcefully" if Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Hezbollah continue, as anticipation grows for the start of negotiations between Washington and Tehran in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

The "Qatam al-Anbiya" military headquarters in Iran announced that the forces remain on high alert and ready to respond forcefully if the attacks on Lebanon and Hezbollah continue, particularly in the southern suburbs of Beirut, indicating that it would elevate the control of the Strait of Hormuz to a new level.

There remains ambiguity regarding Tehran's delegation, as Iranian officials warned of not participating in the negotiations unless a ceasefire in Lebanon is included, where Israel is waging a war. On Wednesday, airstrikes were conducted, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 300 individuals and injuring more than 1,100 others.

U.S. Vice President Jai D. Vance expressed hope for a "positive" outcome in the anticipated talks with Iran as he heads to Islamabad on Friday, while Tehran has not yet announced the timing or composition of its negotiating delegation. Vance told reporters before his flight from Andrews Air Force Base near the U.S. capital, Washington, "We will try to engage in positive negotiations." He added, "If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we are certainly ready to extend a hand. If they try to manipulate us, they will find that the negotiating team will not welcome that." Vance is accompanied by Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for Trump, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to the White House.

A ceasefire agreement between Tehran on one hand and Washington and Israel on the other has been in effect since early Wednesday for two weeks, following a war that lasted about forty days. Pakistan confirmed upon announcing the ceasefire late Tuesday - Wednesday that the agreement includes all fronts, including Lebanon. However, Israel and the United States have disclaimed that.