Iran’s push for a deal with the United States may have hit a major obstacle after the country’s top diplomat declared Tuesday that any agreement to end the conflict would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon—a demand that Israel has already rejected.

The condition threatens to derail the tentative agreement and raises the possibility that full-scale war could resume if negotiations collapse. While details of the deal remain unclear, reports intensified after what appeared to be a draft of the agreement leaked to the media on Tuesday. As expected in high-stakes international negotiations, officials have offered conflicting interpretations of what is actually included in the proposed framework.

Although Israel is not formally a party to the agreement between Washington and Tehran, it remains deeply involved in the conflict. Israel joined the United States in military strikes against Iran on February 28 and has also been engaged in combat operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon.

The Israeli military currently controls significant portions of Lebanese territory following its operations against Hezbollah, making Tehran’s demand especially contentious. Unsurprisingly, asking Israel to surrender strategic gains before a final settlement is secured has not exactly generated enthusiasm in Jerusalem.

The coming days could prove decisive as negotiators attempt to bridge major differences. Whether diplomacy prevails or the region moves closer to renewed conflict, the discussions underscore the importance of strong American leadership and a commitment to securing stability through peace backed by strength.