Trump Wants to "Separate" the Israel-Lebanon Conflict from US-Iran Negotiations

On June 3, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that U.S. President Trump stated to the media at the White House that he hopes to handle the conflict between Israel and Lebanon separately from the negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Iran has insisted on linking the two in the negotiations, demanding a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Trump said, "These are two completely different matters," and noted, "For the first time in history, we have had a dialogue with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and we previously did not know they were willing to talk." He stated that both Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to cease fire.

Trump mentioned that the U.S. is currently observing the situation's development, but "I hope to treat these two matters separately; I want to handle it (the Israel-Lebanon conflict) as an independent issue."

However, on the 3rd, Israel continued airstrikes in multiple areas of southern Lebanon. The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Aviv Kochavi, stated that the IDF is "not ceasing fire" in Lebanon and seeks to maintain "maximum operational freedom." Hezbollah continues to target IDF positions, with its officials stating on the 2nd that they do not agree to a "partial ceasefire" and will only accept a comprehensive, complete, and genuine ceasefire. Iranian media reported on the 3rd, citing informed sources from the Iranian side of the U.S.-Iran negotiations, that if Lebanon is "ignored," Iran will not sign any agreement.

Regarding Israel, Trump stated that the Israeli side has "always been a great partner," but without U.S. intervention, they "would not be able to accomplish anything at all."

According to U.S. media reports, U.S. officials had previously informed Trump that Israel's escalation of military actions in Lebanon could derail U.S.-Iran negotiations. Earlier on the 3rd, Trump confirmed in a talk show that he had used profanity during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on the 1st, calling him "crazy," but stated that the two "work together very well."