Iran’s negotiating delegation has delayed its planned trip to Switzerland, where a 60-day round of diplomatic talks was set to begin, citing Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The move was reported Thursday by Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen, which said sources close to the delegation linked the postponement to Israel’s military activity in southern Lebanon.
According to the report, Tehran has sent messages to the United States and regional mediators saying that “the Lebanese issue will be a central element in the negotiations.” Iranian officials reportedly argue that Israel’s actions in the area violate the framework agreement, while Israel says its operations are a direct response to repeated ceasefire breaches and attacks by Hezbollah from southern Lebanon.
The planned talks are meant to last about 60 days and were supposed to help stabilize the region, but they are already facing pressure before opening. The report says Iran is trying to use the negotiations as leverage by tying diplomatic progress to limits on Israel’s ability to act against Hezbollah. Later Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump called on his Truth social network for an immediate, total ceasefire across Middle East flashpoints, including Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel. He said, “The United States is committed to peace,” and urged people in the region to let the talks proceed.
Inside Israel, military correspondent Hillel Biton Rosen reported that after repeated Hezbollah violations, including a serious incident in which five soldiers were wounded and one was badly hurt by an explosive drone blast, the IDF has changed its policy. Citing sources in the army, he said the IDF has been authorized to fire within the “yellow line,” and senior officers are expected to update field units on the rules of engagement in the coming hours.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the issue Thursday at a ceremony in Gush Etzion marking the naming of Route 60 as “The Bible Road.” He said Israel will not leave the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon as long as security needs require it, adding, “This requires maintaining the security belt in southern Lebanon, it requires that we do not leave there as long as Israel’s security needs require it.” He said the belt separates Hezbollah fighters from Israeli civilians and communities, and claimed Israel has pushed back the threat of a ground invasion and broken Hezbollah’s missile force, though “there is still work to do.”
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