Iran Urges Israel to Leave Lebanon, Israel Refuses... "Key Variable in Ceasefire Agreement"

Esmail Qaani, IRGC Commander

Warns on Social Media: "Disaster of 2000 Will Be Repeated"

Netanyahu Also Stresses Commitment to Presence in Lebanon

Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warned that Israel could face a repeat of the "2000 withdrawal incident" if it continues its current policy in southern Lebanon.

The Epaminondas, which was seized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, last April. Photo by Reuters/Yonhap News

According to Iran's Press TV, on June 21 (local time), Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, posted a message on social media warning Israel that unless it withdraws from southern Lebanon, "the disaster of 2000 will be repeated."

In his message to the Israeli military, Commander Qaani stated, "If you do not change your current path, the events of 2000 will recur," and urged, "Take this warning seriously and make a wise decision."

The "2000 incident" he referred to signifies Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon after 18 years of occupation. According to Iran International, Hezbollah, the Iranian proxy armed group, has long regarded this as a historic victory over Israel.

His remarks came after Israel declared its intention to continue its deployment in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a meeting in Jerusalem that day, "We have established a security zone in Lebanon and will maintain it as long as necessary to protect our people."

Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated the same stance at a memorial ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of his brother, Lieutenant Colonel Yoni Netanyahu's death, pledging to maintain Israel's presence in the southern Lebanon security zone. He also emphasized, regardless of diplomatic circumstances, "As long as I am prime minister, Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons."

As the cessation of military action in Lebanon has been included in a U.S.-Iran agreement, the Iranian military escalated pressure on June 20 by declaring the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israel's continued attacks on Hezbollah. Israel and Hezbollah continue mutual airstrikes under an uneasy ceasefire. The situation in Lebanon has, for two consecutive days, emerged as a key variable determining the fate of the U.S.-Iran agreement, the New York Times reported.

Based on a previous memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the conflict, the United States and Iran began follow-up negotiations at the Bürgenstock Resort near Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on the same day. However, as of now, the talks remain deadlocked. Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that the Iranian delegation walked out of the negotiations in protest after the Trump administration warned that it would directly strike Iran if Hezbollah were left unchecked. However, U.S. media outlets such as CNN and Bloomberg reported that negotiations have not been completely suspended.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.