A senior U.S. official told This is Beirut that Washington has urged Israel to move toward a diplomatic track with Lebanon, adding that Israel has agreed and discussions could be convened as early as next week.
The official said the United States expects the Lebanese government to take concrete steps to address and ultimately disarm Hezbollah, warning that there would be “serious consequences” if it does not.
On Iran, the official stated that Tehran is restricting commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to the point that normal shipping is no longer moving, describing it as an attempt to build leverage ahead of talks. Negotiations involving Iran, currently taking place in Pakistan, are still in their early stages, the official said, adding that it will soon become clear whether Tehran intends to engage seriously or prolong the process.
The official warned that continued interference with maritime transit risks undermining the current pause and could push the region back into broader conflict, adding that the United States is prepared to respond.
The two-week pause, agreed between Washington and Tehran just before a U.S. deadline for major strikes on Iran, is tied to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and upcoming talks in Pakistan.
On the Lebanon front, Washington has said that the upcoming talks are a critical test of the government’s willingness to assert control and move toward Hezbollah’s disarmament, warning that inaction could fuel wider regional escalation.
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