US tells Iran Israel will not widen Lebanon strikes amid nuclear talks

CNN reported on Friday that the United States sent Iran a message saying Israel would not escalate its attacks in Lebanon, as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks progress in nuclear deal talks. According to the report, a source said Hezbollah violated the ceasefire, while Israel agreed to hold back.

The message came as Israel carried out strikes across Lebanon in response to a Hezbollah attack that killed four soldiers, including Lt. Col. Dor Ben Shimon, the commander of the 52nd Armored Battalion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences to the families of the dead and said he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces to strike Hezbollah hard.

In a statement, Netanyahu said, “My instruction is clear: Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks. The IDF will act to thwart any threat to our forces and our territory.” He also said, “As I made very clearly, including yesterday, Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the communities in the north.”

Netanyahu’s office said the IDF hit more than 80 targets in Lebanon and killed dozens of militants. Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the message, saying the army “will remain in the security zone in Lebanon, from the sea coast to the Beaufort heights.”