As the war between the U.S.-Israel coalition and Iran enters its seventh week, the highly anticipated first-ever summit between Israeli and Lebanese leaders has collapsed. While Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah had signaled potential ceasefire possibilities over the past week, raising hopes for progress in negotiations, Israel's massive airstrikes on Lebanon appear to have derailed the talks at the last moment.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday but made no mention of contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lebanese news channel LBCI reported that President Aoun ultimately informed Secretary Rubio of his decision not to hold a phone summit with Prime Minister Netanyahu. According to Qatar's Al Arabi TV, Rubio called Aoun to persuade him to speak with Netanyahu but was unable to change his mind.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that "the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak on the 16th," adding that "it has been 34 years since the two leaders last spoke. This is an attempt to open communications between Israel and Lebanon." The summit had drawn particular attention as it was being pursued ahead of Iran ceasefire talks, with Iran having set a Lebanon ceasefire as a condition for negotiations. Even Hezbollah, typically a hardline faction, had recently shown a more conciliatory stance, raising expectations. On Saturday, NBC News reported, citing a senior Hezbollah official, that discussions on a potential ceasefire with Israel were underway. The Hezbollah official said, "No agreement has been reached yet, and it depends on Israel's position." On the same day, the Financial Times also reported that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was expected to be announced as early as this week, observing that this would help advance ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
Israel's intense bombing campaign is believed to be behind the breakdown of negotiations. According to Lebanon's state news agency, Israel continued its assault on southeastern Lebanon on Sunday. The airstrikes completely destroyed the Qasmiyeh Bridge, the last remaining route connecting southern Lebanon to other regions. At least 11 people were killed, including women and children, and dozens were injured.
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations have now become more complicated. Iran is reportedly considering allowing free passage of vessels through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz. Sources said Iran is willing to allow ships unimpeded access through the Omani side of the 34-kilometer-wide strait. This move is widely viewed as a negotiating card rather than a genuine shift in policy. The U.S. has been applying maximum pressure on Iran for ceasefire negotiations. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Iran during a press briefing on Sunday, saying, "If they make the wrong choice and do not reach an agreement, our military is in the best position to resume combat operations. We hope the new Iranian regime makes a wise choice." Regarding Iran's claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth said, "Threatening to fire missiles and drones at merchant ships lawfully navigating international waters means you control nothing. That's not control—that's piracy and terrorism."
