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The talks to end the months-long conflict are taking place against the backdrop of Iran closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz again in response to recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

“It is not possible to enter the negotiation phase for a final agreement” unless there is an end to the war in Lebanon, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei wrote on X.

Washington and Tehran’s memorandum of understanding signed this week included a provision to end fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

But there have been repeated clashes in Lebanon since, which prompted Iran to say it would again shutter the crucial oil and gas trade route, having opened it as part of the deal.

By yesterday evening, however, there had been no reports of Israeli strikes or continued fighting, with some residents of southern Lebanon cautiously trickling back to their homes.

Lebanon aside, there has been no indication that Iran’s support for armed groups across the region, which has long drawn the ire of the US and Israel, will be addressed in the negotiations.

Speaking yesterday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would not relinquish its right to enrich uranium, though he repeated Iran’s denial that it wants nuclear weapons.

“We can also state in writing that we have no intention of building a bomb,” he said on the presidential website.

Baghaei, meanwhile, said the unfreezing of Iranian assets and “issuing the necessary licences for the sale of Iranian oil will also be on the agenda”.

The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, sparked by the Tehran-backed militant group attacking Israel in support of Iran in the wider war, has repeatedly threatened to derail peace efforts.

On Friday, planned US-Iranian talks were postponed after Israel launched deadly strikes in Lebanon following the deaths of four of its soldiers in combat there.

Israel’s military chief visited troops in south Lebanon yesterday, where he said Hezbollah was in a “very difficult position”.

“Hezbollah has suffered a severe and significant blow, and we are committed to remaining prepared to continue operating and prevent its rebuilding,” Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said, according to a military statement.

The overall death toll from the fighting in Lebanon has now surpassed 4,100, the health ministry said.