US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw military units from Beirut, Lebanon’s capital.
The US President also revealed that he conducted discussions with representatives from Hezbollah, asserting that the group has committed to halting its fire against Israeli military personnel, reports Al Jazeera.
In a swift reaction, Prime Minister Netanyahu notified the US leader that the Israeli military would persist with its strikes on Beirut if Hezbollah continues its assaults on Israeli cities and civilians, according to a formal communique from the Prime Minister’s office.
The statement further clarified that Israeli defence operations in the south of Lebanon will carry on as previously arranged.
Simultaneously, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the chief negotiator for Iran, cautioned that Tehran might harden its position if the Israeli military campaign in Lebanon does not cease.
During a consultation with the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, Ghalibaf warned that Iran might not only terminate its current diplomatic engagement with the United States but could also “enter into direct confrontation with Israel” if the regional crisis worsens.
Notwithstanding the stern message from Tehran, President Trump stated that diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran are proceeding with significant momentum.
