Kombos urges Israeli FM to ensure ceasefire including Lebanon

Foreign minister Constantinos Kombos urged full implementation of the US-Iran ceasefire on Wednesday in a call with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, warning that continued hostilities risk undermining fragile efforts to stabilise the region.

Their talks centred on the scope of the truce and the need for restraint, particularly as fighting in Lebanon continues.

“The ceasefire creates space for comprehensive dialogue and effective diplomacy,” Kombos said, adding that he “stressed the importance of ensuring its full implementation and achieving lasting de-escalation across the region, including Lebanon, from all sides.”

His intervention comes as Israel maintains that its operations against Hezbollah fall outside the agreement.

Kombos also previously spoke with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, calling for “a path for meaningful dialogue towards a comprehensive peace”.

He added that “freedom of navigation and the protection of civilians” must be safeguarded in line with international law.

The ceasefire, brokered with Pakistani mediation, was intended as a temporary hiatus to allow for negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Its scope remains contested, with the United States and Israel both indicating that Lebanon is not covered in the now tenuous deal.

Iran has kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, with vessels told they risk being “targeted and destroyed” if they attempt passage without authorisation.

The warning followed Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which Tehran described as violations of the ceasefire and grounds for potential withdrawal from the agreement.

Iran has also warned it will not participate in planned talks in Pakistan unless a ceasefire is enforced across all fronts.