Washington, April 16 (NationPress) The United States has made it clear that a potential ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is not included in its discussions with Iran, even as Washington intensifies its diplomatic efforts to alleviate tensions along Israel’s northern frontier.

A senior official from the administration stated that the US had “not requested” a truce in Lebanon and that it was “not part of the peace discussions with Iran.” However, the official mentioned that President Donald Trump “would welcome an end to hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”

The comments follow rare direct conversations between Israel and Lebanon, facilitated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department—the first such dialogue between the two nations in several years.

US officials characterized the meetings as a move towards diminishing tensions and possibly paving the way for a more comprehensive agreement.

“The United States aspires for a lasting peace but did not insist on an immediate ceasefire,” another senior official remarked, outlining Washington’s thoughtful approach to the conflict.

Instead, the attention remains on fostering confidence-building measures between the two parties.

“The United States' aim is to cultivate trust between the two governments, to create an environment conducive to a peace agreement, and to ensure that any future arrangements are sustainable,” the official asserted. “Both parties must generate political momentum.”

This clarification comes amidst reports that Israel is contemplating a short-term ceasefire in Lebanon that could pause its confrontation with Iran-aligned Hezbollah.

According to officials mentioned in those reports, the suggested truce could extend for approximately a week, although discussions are still fluid and influenced by political and military factors. It remains uncertain whether Hezbollah would consent to such an arrangement.

US officials emphasized that while Washington endorses de-escalation, it is not linking different negotiation pathways.

“Discussions between the US and Iran are not associated with ongoing peace talks between Israel and Lebanon,” the official stated.

This separation reflects broader US concerns about managing multiple conflicts in the region without allowing one negotiation track to complicate another.

The Lebanon front has remained unstable since Israel initiated a military campaign earlier this year in response to rocket strikes by Hezbollah. The conflict has displaced numerous civilians and heightened fears of a wider regional escalation.

Washington’s current strategy seems focused on achieving gradual progress rather than compelling an immediate resolution.

Officials highlighted that fostering trust and maintaining dialogue could ultimately lead to a more stable outcome than a hasty ceasefire.

The renewed diplomatic initiative also coincides with the US's ongoing efforts to secure its fragile truce with Iran, with regional hotspots like Lebanon seen as potential disruptors if not managed carefully.