Iran live updates: Israel won't leave Lebanon after US-Iran MOU, minister says

The Lebanese Armed Forces on Monday urged people displaced from the south of the country by Israeli military operations there not to return to their homes and await further instructions, following Sunday's announcement of a memorandum of understanding that could bring an end to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

"In light of recent developments in the region and with news circulating about reaching a ceasefire, the Army Command emphasizes the need for residents to postpone their return to the southern border villages and towns, and to adhere to the instructions of the deployed military units, in order to protect their safety from the danger of Israeli violations and attacks," the force said in a post to X.

Lebanon's NNA state media reported that some displaced Lebanese families were starting to head back to southern Lebanon following the U.S.-Iran agreement, which President Donald Trump announced on Sunday. The deal is expected to be signed on Friday, Trump said.

Local authorities and civil emergency groups began to open closed roads in the southern districts of Tyre and Bint Habeel, NNA reported, paving the way for the return of people to their homes.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday said that the Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw from areas it has seized in southern Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip regardless of a deal with Iran.

-ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz, Somayeh Malekian, Victoria Beaule and Jordana Miller

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization Arsenio Dominguez called the reported agreement between the U.S. and Iran "an important step toward restoring safety in this vital maritime corridor for seafarers and ships, as well as safeguarding the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation."

Dominguez said in a statement published on Monday morning that the agreement allows the organization to "advance its plan to evacuate the thousands of seafarers stranded in the area," but that this "will require time to ensure that all necessary safety and security guarantees are in place."

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Following Sunday's announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued statements saying Israel will not withdraw from any territory it has seized.

"Israel is not subordinate to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign state," Ben-Gvir said in a statement. "We must not withdraw from any territory that our fighters have occupied and cleared of terrorist infrastructure," he added.

Katz said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are leading "a clear policy" under which the Israel Defense Forces "will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza indefinitely."

"The area will be cleared of local residents and all terrorist infrastructure, above and below ground -- including the houses in the contact villages that served as terrorist outposts -- will be destroyed," Katz said.

Netanyahu is yet to comment on the announced U.S.-Iran understanding.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Somayeh Malekian

President Donald Trump is trumpeting the "great deal" he has made with Iran, claiming it will bring "peace and security" to the entire region.

He also confirmed the deal will be signed on Friday, claiming that oil will flow from "both ends of the region" after the Strait of Hormuz is opened when the agreement is signed. The oil flow is linked to mine removal, he claims.

"With the opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the Region, and the World!" Trump wrote on his social media platform.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray