A new round of Israel-Lebanon peace talks is underway in Washington, marking the fifth round of negotiations between the two countries. According to the coverage, the discussions notably do not include the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, even as the conflict involving the group remains central to the wider standoff. The talks are taking place as broader negotiations between the United States and Iran also continue.
Alongside the Israel-Lebanon track, the United States moved on the Iran file. According to the report, the US is temporarily lifting some oil sanctions on Iran after what were described as productive talks over the weekend. The step was presented as part of an effort to keep the negotiations moving toward a broader agreement between the parties.
The diplomacy is unfolding against a backdrop of continued violence on the ground. Lebanese authorities reported that two people were killed in Israeli gunfire on a town in the south of the country. In the southern Beirut suburb of Dahir, described as a Hezbollah stronghold, several sites have been hit by Israeli strikes in recent weeks, with one building reported half flattened and homes destroyed.
Iran set out conditions tied to the emerging deal. According to the coverage, the Iranian ambassador said any more attacks in Lebanon would prove to be a red line to the latest deal. Iran reiterated that this remained one of its red lines in the wider talks with the United States, with Tehran warning that if Israel once again hits Hezbollah or Lebanon, it would respond.
Despite the tensions, officials on different sides struck a cautiously positive tone about the direction of the negotiations. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations described the talks as very good, while US Vice President J.D. Vance said the previous day that they had provided a good foundation for a successful final deal. Both sides spoke positively about recent discussions held in Switzerland.
There were also signs of concrete, if tenuous, progress. According to the United States, both sides over the situation in Lebanon agreed to a mechanism to ensure that a waterway remains open, providing safe passage for ships and tankers. At the same time, the warnings continued, with Donald Trump saying he would do what he had to do if Iran did not stick to the deal, leaving the overall picture described as some progress but very precarious.