Ekhbary News Agency | May 20, 2024
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Tuesday that Tehran harbors no trust in the United States, citing two instances of American aggression during negotiation periods. Despite this, he affirmed Iran's continued willingness for dialogue and peace, a stance that, for what it's worth, highlights the complex nature of regional diplomacy.
Lebanon-Israel Talks Advance in Washington
The fifth round of security and political negotiations between Lebanon and Israel commenced in Washington at the U.S. State Department. Both parties had previously agreed to a ceasefire and committed to expediting the establishment of "experimental zones" where the Lebanese Armed Forces would maintain exclusive control, excluding all non-state armed actors. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on Tuesday, emphasized that no nation should impose fees or taxes on international waterways. He further stated that regional hostilities cannot cease if "Iran's proxies" continue to launch missiles, asserting direct engagement with the Lebanese government and distinguishing Lebanon's file from Iran's.
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International Efforts to Curb Escalation
The Lebanese Presidency reported on Monday that President Joseph Aoun held telephone discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and White House envoy Jared Kushner. Their talks centered on preserving the ceasefire and restraining Israeli military escalation. Separately, CNN, citing an Israeli source on Monday, indicated that Israel is considering "symbolic withdrawals" from certain occupied areas in southern Lebanon. This potential goodwill gesture, discussed three days prior to the scheduled meetings, aims to prioritize diplomatic channels and separate the Lebanese issue from ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations.
