The Iran Foreign Minister’s comments come as a fragile US-Iran truce faces strain, with disputes over whether it includes Lebanon and Hezbollah.
BY PC Bureau
April 9, 2026: Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to derail regional ceasefire efforts, claiming the Israeli leader fears peace would accelerate his corruption trial and potential imprisonment.
In a post on X on Thursday, Araghchi said Netanyahu’s long-running trial—set to resume on April 12—could gather pace if a comprehensive ceasefire takes hold across the region, including in Lebanon. He alleged that the Israeli leader is prolonging conflict to delay legal proceedings that could bring him closer to jail.
Netanyahu, who has denied all charges, faces allegations of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery in a case that has been ongoing since 2020. Court hearings were paused during Israel’s state of emergency amid recent hostilities with Iran but are now scheduled to resume following a fragile truce.
The remarks come amid a tenuous 15-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, announced after weeks of escalating conflict. The agreement, partly mediated by Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistani officials, is said to extend across the region, including Lebanon.
Netanyahu’s criminal trial resumes on Sun. A region-wide ceasefire, incl in Lebanon, would hasten his jailing.
If the U S. wishes to crater its economy by letting Netanyahu kill diplomacy, that would ultimately be its choice. We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 9, 2026
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However, the truce has already come under strain. Israeli strikes in Lebanon have reportedly continued since the ceasefire announcement, with hundreds killed and injured. Iran has condemned the attacks as violations of the agreement and insists that any ceasefire must include Lebanese territory and its ally Hezbollah.
Araghchi also directed sharp remarks at Donald Trump, warning Washington against allowing Israel to undermine diplomatic progress. He suggested that continued escalation could harm U.S. interests, while reaffirming Iran’s readiness for further negotiations if a full ceasefire is implemented.
The situation remains volatile, with disagreements over the scope of the ceasefire and ongoing tensions threatening to derail fragile diplomatic gains. Analysts say the resumption of Netanyahu’s trial could add further political pressure at a critical moment in the region.
