Israel and Lebanese state in new talks as ceasefire hangs in the balance
The latest developments in Lebanon showcased that direct negotiations with Tel Aviv are fruitless, and that only Iran has been able to secure a ceasefire there by using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.
United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, second from left, is joined by third from left: State Department Chief of Staff Dan Holler, Sr., State Department Counselor and Director, Office of Policy Planning Michael A. Needham and United States Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, as they meet with Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh, at the State Department, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Washington. Photo: AP
The Lebanese state began the fifth round of direct negotiations with Israel in Washington DC on Tuesday, June 23, and they will continue until Thursday 25.
The new round of negotiations came after a volatile week, during which Iran succeeded in including Lebanon in its deal with the US to end the regional war across West Asia. However, Israel reacted by escalating its attacks on Lebanon, killing dozens of people on Friday, June 19.
Fearing that the Israeli escalation would derail the US-Iran deal, US President Donald Trump reportedly pressured Netanyahu’s government to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Trump’s move came after Iran halted planned talks in Switzerland to discuss the technical terms of the ceasefire deal, in a protest of the continued Israeli aggression on Lebanon.
US Vice President JD Vance also delivered a stern warning to Israeli officials that the Trump administration would stop supporting Israel, if they continue to criticize the deal and the US president.
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