DUBAI/WASHINGTON: Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after an escalation in fighting there jeopardised the chances of an interim agreement on ending the war in Iran turning into a lasting Middle East peace deal.
US-Iran talks in Switzerland planned for Friday were cancelled as fighting flared in Lebanon, creating new uncertainty about the timing of negotiations vital to ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.
“We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire”, a US official said on background, adding that negotiators for the US and Qataris worked out the agreement with help from Iran.
Two sources from Iran-aligned Hezbollah said the group had “applied it from our end”.
A senior Israeli official confirmed his country was in a ceasefire, adding: “If Hezbollah does not attack us, then for us it is not a time of war”.
The official also said Israel would keep its forces in southern Lebanon, where it has occupied an area along Israel’s northern border.
The conflict in Lebanon, in which 18 people were killed in air strikes overnight and four Israeli soldiers were killed by Hezbollah, could weigh on negotiations because ending fighting there is a condition for the broader US-Iran accord.
The memorandum of understanding signed this week by the Iranian and US presidents left discussion of Iran’s nuclear programme and other tough issues until later, giving the sides 60 days to reach a lasting agreement or extend the interim deal.
Preparations for technical talks to start in the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock were far advanced when US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday he had dropped plans to attend, two people familiar with the matter said.
Earlier on Thursday, a source familiar with Tehran’s thinking had said Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, was not planning to attend.
A Swiss foreign ministry statement said the talks had been postponed and that Switzerland remained ready to facilitate the talks and the relevant preparatory work was continuing.
But Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah cited Iran as saying further talks depended on a comprehensive ceasefire being in place and said Lebanon’s government should reject direct negotiations with Israel as long as Israeli attacks continue.
The broad interim deal requires the United States, Iran and their allies to declare an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Israel, left out of the talks, says it is not party to the deal.
Lebanon was sucked into the regional war when Hezbollah opened fire at Israel on March 2, prompting Israel to launch an offensive against the group and invade the south of the country.
Lebanon’s health ministry said 18 people had been killed and 33 wounded in heavy air strikes in 11 southern towns since midnight and that the toll was expected to rise.
The Israeli military said four soldiers had been killed in an incident in Lebanon, without giving further details.
