Donald Trump reportedly instructed Israel to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. This comes as US intelligence officials are reportedly concerned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might undermine the US peace deal with Iran. Talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland were cancelled.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected in Switzerland for talks on a US-Iran peace deal. Meanwhile, recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon, resulting in at least five deaths, threaten to derail the agreement, with Iran viewing a Lebanon ceasefire as essential.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff heads to Switzerland to revive peace talks between Lebanon and Israel, following a ceasefire announcement by Hezbollah and Israel. Despite the truce, reports indicate ongoing Israeli airstrikes. Jared Kushner is also expected to attend.
Israel launched new strikes on southern Lebanon Saturday, killing five people, hours after agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The attacks hit Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Arabsalim, Deir al-Zahrani, and Doueir, contradicting a US-brokered truce announced Friday.
Iran is linking a potential US-Iran diplomatic deal to Israel's compliance with a ceasefire in Lebanon, viewing it as a test of US influence. Despite reports of a ceasefire, Israeli strikes continue, raising doubts about its viability and broader peace efforts.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi are heading to Switzerland for talks following a ceasefire in Lebanon. The talks aim to turn an interim Iran war pact into a lasting regional deal, potentially reviving efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stabilize oil supplies.
Many Israelis feel betrayed by a US-Iran ceasefire deal, viewing it as a humiliation that restricts Israel's ability to combat Hezbollah. Amidst renewed fighting in Lebanon and domestic political challenges for Netanyahu, there's a sense of isolation and a belief that Israel must confront dangers alone.
Israel and Hezbollah renewed a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon after 24 hours of intense violence. This occurred as a US-Iran meeting to discuss a nuclear deal was cancelled, raising regional tensions and impacting global energy markets.
The US State Department announced new talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington D.C. next week, following a renewed ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, emphasizing bilateral negotiations as the path to peace, reconstruction, and ending violence. The talks aim for lasting peace, though Hezbollah's exclusion from previous discussions has hampered progress.
Iran's deputy foreign minister stated Tehran is ready to advance diplomatic talks with Washington if the US respects their agreement and ensures Israel adheres to the MoU terms. Talks were called off amid fighting in Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump stated he personally called Israel to encourage their leadership to accept a new ceasefire with Lebanon. He described the development as "positive" and "icing on the cake," referencing his past relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel and Hezbollah renewed a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon following 24 hours of intense violence. The clashes, which killed at least 47 people, challenged a new US-Iran agreement aimed at ending regional conflict and securing oil traffic.
Donald Trump reportedly urged Israel to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. This comes as US intelligence allegedly fears Netanyahu may undermine the US-Iran peace deal. Talks in Switzerland were postponed after Israel's strikes in Lebanon.
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem hailed a US-Iran memorandum of understanding as a 'great victory' for Lebanon, linking it to a halt in fighting. However, analysts suggest the deal's true impact on Hezbollah and Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon remains uncertain, with continued fighting and differing interpretations of the agreement.
Lebanon's health ministry reported at least 68 deaths and 128 injuries from Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon over the past day. The total death toll since March 2 has reached 3,980, with 12,001 injured, despite a ceasefire.
An expert suggests reports of a US-Israel rift are premature, despite public statements by Donald Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu's office indicating disagreements on Middle East policy, particularly concerning Lebanon. The analyst believes deeper geopolitical factors underpin the relationship.
US-Iran talks in Switzerland were postponed Friday due to escalating conflict in Lebanon. Iran fired warning shots in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening closure, but later softened its tone after a new Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. Both sides seek to avoid renewed hostilities.
Lebanese and regional communications have contained the widespread deterioration of the security situation in Lebanon following military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. Tel Aviv's threats are seen by Lebanese sources as an attempt to undermine the ceasefire agreement and pressure the Lebanese negotiator ahead of the fifth round of negotiations in Washington, seeking to achieve field gains.
Israel has continued air raids and artillery shelling on southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah taking effect Friday, sparking fears the deal could be jeopardized. The ceasefire, brokered by the US, Qatar, and Iran, aimed to prevent escalation from derailing broader regional peace efforts.
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, the US, and Iran, following intense fighting in southern Lebanon. The truce aims to end the war that began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes, though negotiations between the US and Iran were cancelled amid the clashes.
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, the US, and Iran, following intense fighting in southern Lebanon. The truce aims to end a conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, with negotiations between the US and Iran for a broader peace deal having been previously cancelled.
Israel is angry and worried about the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, despite Prime Minister Netanyahu's public restraint. The deal, which includes a reconstruction plan for Iran and a termination of military operations, has upended Israeli assumptions about its "special relationship" with the US. Israel responded to the agreement by pounding Lebanon, leading to a reported ceasefire likely due to US pressure.
US President Donald Trump stated he can prevent further Israeli strikes against Lebanon, citing the respect Israel has for him. This comes as Israeli PM Netanyahu warned of continued responses to Hezbollah attacks, while Reuters reported a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.
High-stakes US-Iran nuclear talks stalled as Tehran demanded an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. VP Vance's trip to Switzerland was postponed. Iran's supreme leader endorsed direct talks, signaling a domestic policy shift.
