US envoy to meet with Iranian counterpart as strikes threaten ceasefire
US President Donald Trump has dispatched envoy Steve Witkoff to Switzerland for peace talks with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, amidst renewed threats to a ceasefire after Israeli strikes killed five in Lebanon. The US president reportedly instructed Israel to agree to a ceasefire with He
By Maira Butt
US President Donald Trump has dispatched envoy Steve Witkoff to Switzerland for peace talks with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, amidst renewed threats to a ceasefire after Israeli strikes killed five in Lebanon.
The US president reportedly instructed Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, urging them to “calm down sometimes and use your head”.
This development follows reports from The Washington Post indicating US intelligence concerns that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu might try to undermine the US peace deal with Iran.
Anonymous US officials suggest Netanyahu's political survival is tied to demonstrating to his domestic audience that he will not withdraw troops from Lebanon.
The deployment of the US president's envoys signals an intention to commence technical negotiations for a permanent truce, despite earlier cancellations.