Israeli-Leban Talks Begin at US State Department

The latest round of talks is being led by the American side by Mike Needham, the new deputy adviser for national security, as well as by Dan Holler, his successor to the post of State Department adviser. Israel and Lebanon are represented by their respective ambassadors to the US.

Officials did not answer journalists' questions during a brief photographic presentation at the start of the meeting.

The attacks and exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah have continued despite an extension of the truce between Israel and Lebanon. On Friday, military delegations from the two countries launched technical security talks at the Pentagon.

Iranian state media reported on Monday that the country's officials were suspending peace talks with the US because of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions in Lebanon. On Tuesday, Iranian media signalled that talks between Tehran and Washington were continuing, but Iran's top negotiator threatened with escalation if Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.

Netanyahu said Monday that the Israeli army would continue attacks on southern Lebanon “according to plan”, just hours after President Donald Trump said Israeli forces would not move towards Beirut. According to persons familiar with the conversation, a phone call between the two leaders Monday ran in tense tones, where the US president urged his counterpart to reduce plans for operations in Lebanon.

Trump also claimed Monday that he had conducted a call with “representative of Hezbollah leaders” and that they had agreed to stop the attacks on Israel.

According to a statement by Lebanon Embassy in Washington, Lebanese authorities have received confirmation that Hezbollah has accepted an American proposal providing for ceasefire with Israel.