A week-long ceasefire in Lebanon "could begin on Wednesday night", according to reports, raising hopes that a broader diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran may still be within reach after weeks of regional conflict.
Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen network, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, reported that a senior Iranian source said the truce would start “tonight” following pressure from Tehran. The source reportedly said the ceasefire would last for one week, matching the current pause period being discussed between Washington and Tehran.
The report followed as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday led rare direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, marking the first such high-level engagement in decades. While both sides described the discussions as positive, it remained unclear whether they had reached any agreement on a broader peace framework.
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As per the report, commenting on possible challenges to the agreement, the source told the agency there remains a risk of disruption by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They stated, “It is possible that Netanyahu, being the disruptive element he is, will try to sabotage this agreement."
"However, we are dealing with Washington as the sponsor and partner of the occupation and the party responsible for restraining him," the senior source said as quoted by the agency.
Quoting Israeli media, the agency also said that its Security and Political Cabinet is expected to meet to discuss and vote on a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Lebanon. The reports added that, if the proposal is approved, the ceasefire could take effect as early as the following morning.
However, the development was immediately clouded by conflicting signals from Israel. An Israeli political source quoted by 'Israel National News' said there had been no decision on a ceasefire in Lebanon and that no formal request had been received.
Moreover, a senior American official said in an interview with Fox News that the US has not formally agreed to extend the ceasefire.
The mixed messaging reflects the complexity of the Lebanon front, which has remained active even after the United States and Iran agreed in principle to pause direct hostilities earlier this month. While Pakistani mediators and Iranian officials have argued that Lebanon should be included in any wider ceasefire arrangement, Israel and the United States have previously maintained that the conflict with Hezbollah is a separate track.
As per reports, the war in Lebanon escalated after Hezbollah launched attacks in support of Iran following the US-Israeli campaign against Tehran. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon, displacing large numbers of civilians and intensifying international concern over a wider regional war.
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For Washington, calming the Lebanon front is seen as important to preserving momentum for a possible US-Iran peace deal. Any continued fighting involving Hezbollah risks undermining already fragile talks over sanctions, regional security and maritime tensions in the Gulf.
Whether the reported truce begins as claimed remains uncertain, but even the suggestion of a pause has lifted expectations that diplomacy may still prevail over further escalation.
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