Lebanon-Israel talks overshadowed by new US-Iran diplomatic track

Lebanon and Israel began a fifth round of direct negotiations in Washington, with Lebanon seeking an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Israel linking any withdrawal to Hezbollah's disarmament. A new US-Iran diplomatic channel and a deconfliction mechanism negotiated in Switzerland have shifted the diplomatic landscape, raising questions about Lebanon's control over the talks. President Joseph Aoun emphasized Lebanon's sovereignty, rejecting foreign negotiation on its behalf.