U.S. Officials: Trump Pressures Israel to Slow Attacks on Lebanon

On April 10, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that to prevent Israel's military actions in Lebanon from interfering with the upcoming U.S.-Iran negotiations, President Trump has asked Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to reduce the intensity of strikes against Lebanon.

According to reports, Trump spoke with Netanyahu and "sternly" stated that while the U.S. understands Israel's security concerns, Israel should slow down its military strikes against Lebanon to maintain the upcoming negotiations. A U.S. official revealed that the duration of this call was "shorter than usual."

The official noted that the Trump administration had never before requested Israel to slow down its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This pressure comes in response to Iran and mediator Pakistan accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, with Trump concerned that continued strikes could affect the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and disrupt the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

White House Press Secretary Levitt announced on the 8th that the first round of talks between the U.S. and Iran will be held on the morning of the 11th local time in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

The Israel Defense Forces stated on the 8th that the Israeli military conducted large-scale airstrikes in multiple locations in Lebanon, targeting over 100 Hezbollah command centers and military objectives, claiming this was the largest strike in the current U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported on the 9th that the large-scale airstrikes launched by Israel the previous day had resulted in at least 303 deaths and 1,150 injuries in Lebanon.