Despite US Diplomatic Efforts, Israeli Army Says "No Ceasefire" In Lebanon

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir rejected the existence of a ceasefire in Lebanon during a visit to Haifa, despite ongoing U.S.-mediated talks in Washington. His remarks came as a fourth round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon took place, with Iran-backed Hezbollah opposing the process. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed open communication channels with the U.S. but stated no progress has been made in ending regional aggression. He set conditions for renewed talks, including ensuring Iranian rights, halting the Lebanon conflict, and reducing regional tensions. Araghchi warned Israel against attacking Beirut, threatening grave consequences and a full-scale war resumption if the Lebanese capital is targeted. Tehran also claimed its armed forces were on full alert after Israel threatened Beirut’s southern suburbs, with Araghchi declaring Iran’s readiness to strike Israel in retaliation. U.S. President Donald Trump previously announced commitments from Israel and Hezbollah to halt hostilities, though Zamir’s statement contradicts this claim. Meanwhile, tensions escalated in the Gulf following conflicting accounts of a strike at Kuwait International Airport. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied responsibility, blaming a malfunction in a U.S.-made Patriot system, while the U.S. military accused Iran of a deliberate drone attack. Former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani criticized Iran’s regional operations as unjustifiable, urging Gulf states to respond collectively.