US-Iran Peace Deal Live Updates: Israeli military strikes in Lebanon kill 16, a day after ceasefire begins
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (AP File Photo)
Efforts to turn this week’s US-Iran peace agreement into a broader settlement across West Asia faced fresh uncertainty on Saturday as fighting continued in Lebanon despite reports of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least seven people, including two children, according to Lebanese state media, hours after mediators reported progress towards a ceasefire. The violence followed a major escalation on Friday that left at least 47 people dead in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers killed.
Switzerland talks delayed as diplomacy stalls
The continuing violence has already disrupted the next phase of diplomacy. Planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland were postponed after Iranian officials insisted that fighting in Lebanon must stop before negotiations could proceed, while US Vice President JD Vance also delayed his planned visit. The interim agreement signed earlier this week reopened the Strait of Hormuz and launched a 60-day negotiating process on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and broader regional security issues. However, neither Israel nor Hezbollah is a signatory to the accord, and both sides remain divided over the future of southern Lebanon.
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Ceasefire faces first major test
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep Israeli forces in southern Lebanon until all threats against Israel are eliminated, while Hezbollah maintains it will not halt attacks unless Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory. Meanwhile, Iran is preparing to lodge a complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions imposed on its World Cup team in the United States. With the Lebanon ceasefire still fragile and nuclear negotiations delayed, the coming days are expected to test whether the US-Iran agreement can evolve into a lasting peace deal or faces its first major setback.
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