Israel and Lebanon agree to implement fragile ceasefire, with Iran warning against attacks on Beirut

A ceasefire in name only

Israel and Lebanon have committed to implementing a ceasefire that has been in place since mid-April but has done little to stop the fighting. A joint statement issued after talks in Washington, mediated by the US State Department, said the truce depends on a complete halt to attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia against Israel. The two governments also agreed to resume negotiations in the week of 22 June to reach a comprehensive agreement.

Pilot zones and the Litani line

The Washington statement envisions the creation of so-called pilot zones in Lebanon where only regular Lebanese armed forces would exercise control. Hezbollah is expected to withdraw from areas south of the Litani River, near the Israeli border. How these security zones will be established remains unclear. The statement described the steps as enabling progress toward a comprehensive peace and security agreement.

These steps will enable progress toward a comprehensive peace and security agreement.

Hezbollah outside the room

The Lebanese government is not itself a warring party and has limited influence over Hezbollah, which is allied with Tehran. The militia is not participating in the talks and views negotiations with Israel as capitulation. Despite the ceasefire first declared in mid-April and extended several times since, Hezbollah has continued to launch drones and rockets at northern Israel, while Israel has responded with airstrikes and ground advances in southern Lebanon.

Iran keeps channels open

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi told the pro-Hezbollah broadcaster Al-Majadin that communication with the United States has not been cut off, contradicting earlier reports in Iranian media that indirect talks had collapsed. Araghtschi said messages had been exchanged regarding the need to end aggression against Beirut, but acknowledged that no tangible progress had been made in the negotiation process.

The communication with the Americans was not cut off.

Tehran has linked its return to the negotiating table to guarantees of the rights of the Iranian people, an end to the war in Lebanon, and a reduction of regional tensions. US President Donald Trump, speaking at the White House on Wednesday, described the talks as going "very well," though recent assessments suggest the negotiations have stalled.

Beirut warning

Araghtschi also issued a direct warning regarding potential Israeli strikes on Beirut. Any attack on the Lebanese capital would have severe consequences and lead to a full resumption of the war, he said, adding that Tehran's forces are ready to strike Israel. The warning follows a statement by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday, who threatened attacks on Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs if the militia resumes shelling Israel.

Any attack by Israel on Beirut will have severe consequences and lead to a full resumption of the war.

A tangled conflict

The current hostilities trace back to the Gaza war, after which Israel and Hezbollah entered open conflict. A November 2024 ceasefire proved extremely fragile, with Israel continuing to strike Hezbollah positions and accusing the militia of rearming. When Israel and the US launched the Iran war in late February, Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel again, triggering a renewed escalation. The Iran war itself has been under a ceasefire for nearly two months, though sporadic mutual attacks continue.