Following Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Israel ordered direct negotiations with Lebanon to focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace. Israel's military actions threaten the permanent ceasefire talks scheduled between the US and Iran this weekend. Iran urged the US to stop Israeli strikes in Lebanon, insisting that regional peace must include Lebanon.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed 303 people on Wednesday, bringing the total death toll since March 2 to 1,888. Despite a two-week ceasefire announcement between the US and Iran, the Israeli military escalated strikes across Lebanon. Pakistani mediators claimed Lebanon was included in the truce, but Washington and Tel Aviv denied this.
US President Trump expressed 'very optimistic' views on a peace deal with Iran, noting that Iranian leadership appeared 'much more reasonable' in private talks. Israel has agreed to scale back its strikes in Lebanon, while the US and Iran reached a two-week conditional ceasefire. These developments are part of international efforts to de-escalate Middle East tensions and revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin next week in Washington D.C., potentially aiding US-Iran ceasefire efforts. The talks will focus on the disarmament of the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah. President Trump urged Israel to scale back strikes in Lebanon and expressed optimism about a peace deal with Iran.
Israel resumed offensive operations against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, but faced pressure from the Trump administration. Consequently, PM Netanyahu authorized direct talks with Lebanon, moderating the military action. Iran condemned the Israeli strikes as a ceasefire violation and warned of strong responses.
US President Trump pressured Israel to scale back strikes in Lebanon to ensure the success of negotiations with Iran. Iran stated that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a formal condition for its own agreement with Washington, intensifying international pressure. European nations have also criticized Israel's attacks, raising concerns over the peace process.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon jeopardize the US-Iran ceasefire, with Iran stating no deal will occur as long as Israel continues its attacks. Peace talks are being prepared in Pakistan, but Iran maintains its near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. While Israel claims its actions in Lebanon are outside the truce scope, Iran and Pakistan argue they must be included.
Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad stated the group opposes direct negotiations with Israel, insisting the Lebanese government must condition talks on a ceasefire. He stressed that Israeli troop withdrawal and the return of displaced persons are prerequisites for any dialogue. This statement comes despite Israeli PM Netanyahu's directive to initiate direct talks.
A Hezbollah lawmaker reiterated his group's rejection of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel. Hezbollah insisted on Israeli withdrawal and cessation of hostilities as prerequisites. The Lebanese government also stated that a ceasefire must precede any talks with Israel.
US Democrats warned President Trump that Israel's bombing of Lebanon risks collapsing the US-Iran ceasefire and reigniting regional war. They urged the President to rein in Israel and include Lebanon within the truce agreement. Iranian officials also stressed that the ceasefire may not hold if Israeli attacks continue.