Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared Wednesday that Beirut’s direct negotiations with Israel in Washington remain entirely independent of the newly announced US-Iran ceasefire framework. Despite Tehran and Pakistan claiming the regional deal encompasses Lebanon, Aoun insisted his nation retains sovereign decision-making authority without external interference.
Direct talks between Lebanon and Israel have continued in Washington since April, aiming to end hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah separately from the wider regional conflict. While Aoun welcomed international support for a ceasefire, he emphasized that no settlement would be imposed at Lebanon's expense. The president expressed optimism regarding next week's fifth round of discussions, citing strong interest from the US administration.
Tensions persist domestically as Hezbollah rejects both the government's direct diplomacy with Israel and mandates to disarm. The militant group thanked Iran for insisting on Lebanon's inclusion in the broader US-Iran agreement, contradicting Beirut's strategy of bilateral negotiation. This political friction continues against a backdrop of violence; although fighting has decreased following the US-Iran announcement, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least five people this week.