Joseph Aoun Says Lebanon’s Israel Talks Are Independent Of US-Iran Deal

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said his country’s negotiations with Israel in Washington are independent of the US-Iran deal to end the Middle East conflict, while also saying Lebanon is for a ceasefire and for any country that helps it, including Iran.

“President Aoun says Lebanon has ‘independent track’ in negotiations ‘Any settlement will be reached through Lebanon, not at its expense,' Aoun says in meeting with delegation of bishops Lina Altawell 17 June 2026•Update: 17 June 2026 ISTANBUL Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday that his country is pursuing an independent approach in ongoing negotiations, stressing that any settlement would be reached through the Lebanese state and not at its expense”

Anadolu Ajansı

Aoun told a delegation of Maronite bishops from the diaspora that “The assurances we have received, and what we insist on, is that Lebanon’s path in the negotiations is independent,” and he added that “interference in Lebanese affairs is not permitted.”

Anadolu Ajansı

The talks have been held in Washington since April, seeking to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and separate their conflict from the wider regional war.

The AFP-linked reporting in France 24 said Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem urged Lebanese authorities to take advantage of a “pivotal” moment following the US-Iran deal, even as violence declined after the announcement.

France 24 also reported that Israeli strikes on the south killed at least five people since then, according to state media, and that Israel’s army said five soldiers were wounded on Wednesday after an explosive drone impact in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said Lebanon was at a “pivotal” moment after the US-Iran deal, and in a televised address he hailed the deal as a “great victory” for Iran.

Qassem thanked Tehran for “linking the Lebanese arena” to the accord and “forcing Israel to stop its aggression” on the country, while urging Lebanese authorities to take advantage of the moment to achieve the “expulsion of Israel” from Lebanese territory.

DW

France 24 reported that Qassem said Lebanese-Israeli talks should be limited to “mutual security,” and that “any proposal under the banner of disarmament will not pass.”

In contrast, Aoun insisted the Lebanese state was sovereign in its decision-making and said “for the first time, it is the one conducting the negotiations, and nobody is negotiating for us,” according to a statement from his office.

The DW roundup also framed the negotiations as independent, while noting that Trump said the US could “start the process again” if Iran does not make a deal, and it quoted Trump calling Lebanon “a ‘small piece of the puzzle,’ but a ‘very noisy one.’”

Aoun said he hoped next week’s fifth round of talks would be “more positive,” and he reiterated that “The Lebanese state is sovereign in its decision-making, and for the first time, it is the one conducting the negotiations, and nobody is negotiating for us.”

“Hezbollah chief says Lebanon at 'pivotal' moment after US-Iran deal Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Wednesday urged Lebanese authorities to take advantage of a "pivotal" moment following a US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war, ahead of Israeli-Lebanese negotiations next week”

France 24

He also said he would reassure the Lebanese that “nobody is tying us to any other country, and any settlement will be through us, not at our expense,” while Hezbollah rejected the authorities’ direct negotiations and a Lebanese government decision to disarm it.

France 24 reported that Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks since March have killed more than 3,800 people and displaced more than one million others, and it said Israeli raids on several south Lebanon areas were reported on Wednesday.

The Arab News report added that Hezbollah thanked its backer Tehran for insisting Lebanon be included in the agreement with Washington, despite Beirut’s efforts through the talks to achieve a ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

As the negotiations continue amid conflicting positions over whether Israeli forces will withdraw or remain, Türkiye Today said Israeli media reported the Israeli army was preparing for a potentially prolonged presence across the border, citing unnamed security sources and “all scenarios in Lebanon.”