The U.S. is preparing to host a new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington D.C. next week, following a renewed ceasefire declared by both Israel and Hezbollah. This comes amid efforts to push for a peace agreement in the region and reduce tensions that could affect the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran.
On 19 June 2026 GMT+7, the U.S. Department of State will facilitate a new round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Washington D.C. next week, after fighting along the Lebanon border escalated again over recent days.
This announcement came shortly after Israel and Hezbollah declared a new ceasefire agreement aimed at reducing clashes that threaten regional stability and could impact the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the U.S. and Iran, which seeks to end conflicts in the Middle East.
U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio held a phone conversation with Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, stressing that direct talks between Lebanon and Israel are the only path to national recovery, economic revival, and ending the cycle of recurring violence.
Previously, Israel and Lebanon initiated direct talks in April, marking their first official meeting since 1993. Subsequent negotiations occurred in June, resulting in multiple temporary ceasefire agreements.
However, these talks have not included Hezbollah, a key force in southern Lebanon, limiting progress in resolving the conflict. Over the past months, Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange intermittent retaliatory attacks.