Israel and Lebanon have agreed to “the implementation of a ceasefire,” but it is contingent on “a complete cessation” of Hezbollah fire and removal of all Hezbollah operatives from southern Lebanon, according to a joint statement released Wednesday.
But the status of US-Iran negotiations remains unclear.
Here’s the latest in the region:
Mixed messages on US-Iran talks: President Donald Trump said Wednesday that negotiations with Iran have gone “very well,” but Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there has been no “significant progress” in recent days.
Ceasefire “must include Lebanon”: Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi said the US-Israel war with Iran will only end “when it also ends in Lebanon.” Araghchi also said Israeli forces must withdraw from Lebanon, where Israel has been targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah since early March.
Israel downplays divisions: Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter has downplayed divisions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and warned that “if Hezbollah is intent on disrupting the ceasefire, the result is going to be on them.”
Congressional rebuke: The House passed a resolution on Wednesday to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran, a significant rebuke to Trump and his handling of the conflict.
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler, Helen Regan, Camila DeChalus, Sarah Ferris, Ellis Kim, Aileen Graef, Michael Williams, Mustafa Qadri, Eyad Kourdi, Kunal Sehgal, Aida Karimi, Tim Lister, Sarah Tamimi, Mostafa Salem and Catherine Nicholls contributed to this report.