BEIRUT, Lebanon — Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Wednesday hailed an understanding reached between Tehran and Washington to end the regional war as a “great victory,” calling it a “pivotal point” for Lebanon.

Although the US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war has not been officially released, American and Iranian officials, as well as mediator Pakistan, have said it includes Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, meanwhile, insisted his country’s negotiations with Israel in Washington were independent of the regional deal.

In a televised address, Qassem hailed the deal as a “great victory” for Iran, thanking his terror group’s backer for “linking the Lebanese arena” to the accord and “forcing Israel to stop its aggression” on the country.

Qassem urged Lebanon to take advantage of “this pivotal point following the agreement… to achieve the expulsion of Israel” from Lebanese territory.

After Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war with rocket fire at Israel in support of Tehran, Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground invasion, with troops still occupying southern Lebanese territory.

Under US pressure, Lebanon has been holding direct talks with Israel in Washington since April, seeking to end the hostilities and separate the conflict from the regional war, but the Iran-US deal announcement has reshuffled the cards.

The talks, which Israel has said are ultimately aimed at securing a full peace deal while Lebanon has said they are only focused on de-escalation, have faced an uphill battle since Hezbollah has vowed not to recognize or abide by any deal they yield, raising the prospect of a........

© The Times of Israel