The administration of US President Donald Trump said on June 3 (US time) that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire agreement to end hostilities, thereby increasing expectations of a broader agreement related to the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.
According to a joint statement released by the US State Department after negotiations in Washington, the ceasefire will depend on the Hezbollah forces completely stopping their offensive operations and withdrawing all members from the South Litani area.
The two sides agreed to a ceasefire last month, but fighting continued. Israel has sent troops into Lebanon since March to pursue Hezbollah, forces that have launched cross-border attacks to show support for Tehran.
The new development is considered meaningful for the negotiation process between the US and Iran. Previously, Tehran had set a condition that the cessation of fighting between Israel and Lebanon was part of the requirement to reach an agreement with Washington.
However, the regional security situation remains very tense. Kuwaiti officials said that an attack by Iranian drones and missiles damaged facilities at Kuwait International Airport and diplomatic missions, killing one person and injuring more than 60 others. Operations at the airport were suspended before resuming after safety measures were implemented.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards rejected allegations of targeting Kuwait's airport, saying the damage was due to US interceptor missiles not hitting the target. Meanwhile, the US military affirmed that Iranian drones deliberately targeted this airport.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has launched more defensive attacks in southern Iran, targeting missile launchers, ships believed to be trying to drop naval mines and targets on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, the US and Iran signaled progress towards a preliminary agreement to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the final document has not yet been signed. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, dialogues have not been cut off but have not yet made new progress.
President Donald Trump affirmed that his top priority is to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. He said that the parties are trying to separate the issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz from the conflict in Lebanon and hinted that negotiations with Iran could make progress in the very near future.
However, the fighting has not completely ended. Lebanese security sources said that Israeli drone attacks in southern Lebanon have killed at least 6 people, while Israel announced it had intercepted a flying target suspected of being launched by Hezbollah.
