Iran's Revolutionary Guard Says Israeli Forces Must Withdraw to Prewar Positions

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[Financial News] Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force, an elite unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has called for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to withdraw to their prewar positions.
In a statement issued on the 4th local time, Qaani said, "Hezbollah's minimum demand is for the usurping regime, Israel, to retreat to the positions it held before the start of the '40-day war.'"
The 40-day war refers to the conflict fought by the United States, Israel and Iran from Feb. 28 to April 8.
The statement is being interpreted as the IRGC's response on behalf of Hezbollah to the new ceasefire agreement that Israel and Lebanon reached the previous day with U.S. mediation.
As Iran has insisted that Israel halt attacks on Hezbollah and agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon as essential conditions for ending the war with the United States, Qaani was effectively setting the benchmark for a Lebanon ceasefire. The Quds Force is known to have very close ties with Hezbollah.
Under the Israel-Lebanon agreement, Hezbollah must stop all attacks and withdraw from southern Lebanon south of the Litani River. Control of the area will be exercised exclusively by the Lebanese Armed Forces. Hezbollah, which did not take part in the talks, has not yet issued a direct response.
Regarding the ceasefire plan, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told local media that it would take effect within 24 hours after all parties approve it.
wongood@fnnews.com Juwon Gyu Reporter