Iran has welcomed a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, calling it a chance to reduce tensions after months of conflict. Tehran's ambassador to France, Mohammad Amin Nejad, told RFI his country supports dialogue with Washington and insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, while leaving the door open to compromise.
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Friday, pausing weeks of cross-border fighting that has displaced more than a million people in Lebanon. But the truce remains fragile, with violations reported and key issues still unresolved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will maintain a 10-kilometre security zone in southern Lebanon, while Beirut insists Israeli forces must withdraw. The question of Hezbollah’s weapons also remains a major sticking point.
French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed signs of de-escalation but warned the ceasefire may not hold without a broader political agreement to stabilise Lebanon and the wider region.
The truce is part of a wider diplomatic push led by the United States to ease tensions with Iran, which backs Hezbollah and has been engaged in indirect talks with Washington.
RFI: What is your reaction to the ceasefire in Lebanon?
Mohammad Amin Nejad: We can only welcome this agreement, because it will stop the bloodshed in Lebanon, which has left more than a million people displaced and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries.
We hope that despite the violations reported by the Lebanese government, this will lead to calm that benefits everyone.
France's Macron says fragile Lebanon ceasefire 'may already be undermined'
RFI: Will Hezbollah be fully committed to this ceasefire and what is Iran telling its allies?
MAN: We began discussions with the United States through the Pakistani government.
For Iran, a ceasefire in Lebanon was a condition. Our position is to support it. But it is Israel that attacks its neighbours and has not respected the truce.
Lebanon is an independent country. It will decide what is in its own interest – the interest of its people, its state and its territorial integrity.It is up to them to decide how to proceed. But I believe Hezbollah and Lebanon have never intended to attack a neighbouring country. It has always been the other way around.
RFI: Does the ceasefire mean negotiations between Tehran and Washington will resume? Could there be direct talks again?
MAN: We were still in the negotiation phase, as we were during both the 12-day war and the 27 February war.
The US strikes on Iran were an act of aggression – brutal and without warning – while we were in the middle of negotiations.
Even so, we agreed to continue talks because we always prefer dialogue to conflict.
Today, both sides are still engaged. There are mediations and contacts. We are always open to negotiation, as long as both sides’ interests are respected and a compromise is reached.
'War with no winners': Middle East crisis enters a dangerous new phase
RFI: Donald Trump says both sides are close to a deal and that Iran could give up enriched uranium. Can you confirm that?
MAN: Our enriched uranium was bombed by the United States. It was already under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Before the February attack, we had agreed to dilute and further reduce our stock, beyond what was set out in the 2015 agreement. So in principle, this is not an issue.
Iran was not blocking the process. The problem was the intention to wage war and invade Iran, which was being prepared in January 2026.
RFI: So you're saying that Iran is ready to make an effort on its nuclear enrichment program?
MAN: Our nuclear programme is peaceful. It has always been peaceful. It has been under IAEA supervision. There is no doubt about that. Between 2015 and 2018, there were 15 reports confirming the peaceful nature of our nuclear facilities.
We have never intended, and do not intend, to acquire an atomic bomb. For us, the atomic bomb is worthless.
But we must also confront those who already have nuclear weapons and refuse to allow the IAEA to inspect them.
This interview has been adapted from an audio version in French by and edited for clarity.
