Israel and Hezbollah Agree Ceasefire to Salvage US-Iran Peace Talks
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a new ceasefire in their deadly conflict in Lebanon, a move that comes after Israeli strikes nearly jeopardised peace talks between the United States and Iran. A senior US official confirmed the truce, stating that both parties are now observing a cessation of hostilities following an exchange of fire earlier in the day. The ceasefire came into effect on Friday at 16:00 local time. Officials from both Israel and Hezbollah have indicated they will abide by the truce, provided neither side violates its terms.
US President Donald Trump had previously signed a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran at the Palace of Versailles in France on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the G7 summit. The document was also signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and both nations subsequently decided to continue peace discussions. However, a planned follow-up meeting between the two parties in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on Friday was cancelled, with Vice President JD Vance reportedly not travelling to Switzerland. The cancellation was attributed to a deadly Israeli attack in Lebanon that occurred a day after the MoU was signed, killing at least 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers.
On Friday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on social media that he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to strike Hezbollah. In an interview with NBC News, President Trump said he had urged Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon, noting that ending the conflict was one of the guarantees requested by Iran during the peace process. Trump did not disclose whether he spoke directly with Netanyahu but affirmed that their relationship remains cordial. He described the signing of the MoU between Iran and the US as a positive development, calling it a perfect complement. In a separate interview with Axios, when asked if he could control Israel to prevent attacks on Lebanon, Trump claimed he could, stating, “Yes, I will be able to. They respect me greatly, and they do what I say.”