Israeli and Lebanese military officials are set to meet at the Pentagon on Friday in talks aimed at resolving their decades-long conflict, as fighting increasingly shakes what remains of a ceasefire between the two countries declared in mid-April. The meeting will launch a "security track" of negotiations between the countries' military delegations, focused on fortifying their strained ceasefire, according to the State Department.
Escalating Cross-Border Attacks
The talks come as both sides have intensified military operations in recent days. Israel issued sweeping evacuation orders to residents in seven towns and villages on Friday ahead of airstrikes on southern Lebanon, adding to evacuation orders across the region on Wednesday. The Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah has launched a surge of drones on northern Israel in recent days, including one that killed Israeli soldier Rotem Yanai on Wednesday in a hit on a military zone on the Israeli side of the border.
The Israeli Air Force widened its offensive in Lebanon on Thursday with a strike on the suburbs of Beirut, days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to escalate attacks. An Israeli security source told The Times of Israel that the target of the attack was Ali al-Husni, the head of an Iranian militia that operates alongside Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities said that at least 14 people, including children, were killed that day in Israeli strikes.
Multi-Track Diplomatic Effort
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, negotiations are scheduled to focus on the "political track," aimed at lasting calm. The US has hosted Israeli and Lebanese negotiators for three rounds of talks since the ceasefire was declared in mid-April. The Pentagon-hosted security discussions represent an effort to address immediate military concerns while parallel political negotiations seek longer-term stability.
Iran Deal Looms Over Regional Security
The report also said the US and Iran had reportedly reached a tentative deal to extend their ceasefire by 60 days, pending US President Donald Trump's approval. Vice President JD Vance did not confirm whether the president would sign the agreement when speaking to the press Thursday night. "The president will be in a position where he can endorse the agreement, but obviously that's still TBD," he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Vance also said that he "can't guarantee" a deal would be reached. Trump has yet to comment on the proposal.
The expectation is that any deal would include opening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's effective closure of the strait, a pathway for a fifth of the world's oil and gas, has sent energy prices soaring and placed increasing pressure on the Trump administration. Oil prices dipped slightly on Thursday following news of the tentative deal.
Energy Markets and Strategic Concerns
Trump and his officials have repeatedly suggested that the US was close to a deal with Iran. In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump said that an agreement had been "largely negotiated," including opening Hormuz, and that "final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly."
The report said Iran launched a missile at a US airbase in Kuwait on Thursday, hours after the US fired at Bandar Abbas, an Iranian port city near the Strait of Hormuz. It said it was the second time in three days that the US had attacked targets in Iran, saying they were conducted in self-defense to intercept drones. Both countries claim the other has violated the current ceasefire.
Why This Matters:
The Pentagon talks represent a critical test of whether direct military-to-military dialogue can preserve a ceasefire that has deteriorated significantly since mid-April. The involvement of Iranian-backed Hezbollah in cross-border attacks underscores the regional dimension of the conflict and the challenge of enforcing agreements when non-state actors operate with backing from Tehran. The parallel negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz highlight the direct economic stakes for American consumers and businesses, as the closure of this critical waterway has contributed to soaring energy prices. The Trump administration's approach—combining military pressure with diplomatic engagement—reflects the delicate balance required to protect American interests while avoiding broader regional escalation. The outcome of these talks will determine whether diplomacy can restore stability or whether the region faces renewed conflict with significant implications for global energy markets and national security.