BEIRUT, Lebanon: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his ministers on Thursday to begin direct talks with Lebanon amid mounting concern that its ongoing strikes could threaten Pakistan-brokered US-Iran truce.
A Lebanese government official told AFP shortly after Netanyahu’s announcement that Beirut “wants a ceasefire” declared before starting any negotiations with Israel, a day after deadly strikes across the country.
At least 203 people were killed and 1,000 wounded in the bombardment on Wednesday, the Lebanese health ministry said.
“Lebanon wants a ceasefire before starting negotiations,” said the Lebanese government official, cited by AFP, said.
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,” Netanyahu said.
Brussels, Moscow and Ankara demanded that the US-Iran ceasefire be extended to Lebanon.
For their part, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran sees Lebanon as an “inseparable part of the ceasefire” and President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel’s strikes rendered “meaningless” talks with US envoys planned for the end of the week in Pakistan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that if the US wants to “crater its economy by letting [Israeli PM Benjamin] Netanyahu kill diplomacy”, then it is Washington’s choice.
“We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it,” Araghchi says on X.
Pakistan set to host US–Iran talks
Pakistan is set to host high-stakes talks between the US and Iran this weekend after the two-week ceasefire, brokered through Islamabad’s intensive diplomatic efforts.
Delegations are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday, with formal negotiations scheduled for Saturday.
The talks mark a pivotal moment in efforts to de-escalate a conflict that had threatened to engulf the wider Middle East, with Pakistan now positioned at the centre of global diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that delegations from Washington and Tehran will arrive in Islamabad following the breakthrough ceasefire.
PM Sharif said the aim is to “further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes”.
The US negotiation team will be led by Vice President JD Vance, underscoring the significance Washington attaches to the Islamabad talks.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the delegation will also include Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
Pakistani government sources said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will represent Pakistan in the negotiations.
Iran is expected to be represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, signalling Tehran’s serious engagement in what is being seen as a decisive diplomatic opening.
Pakistan-brokered US-Iran ceasefire
The negotiations follow a critical breakthrough earlier this week, when both the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire just hours before a major escalation deadline.
The agreement came after direct engagement between Pakistan’s leadership — including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir — and senior officials in Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump announced a suspension of military action after accepting Pakistan’s proposal for a pause in hostilities.
“I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire,” Trump said.
Iran swiftly issued a reciprocal confirmation, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledging Pakistan’s role and signalling readiness for negotiations.
Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have drawn widespread international praise, including from global leaders and the United Nations, for preventing further escalation in a region critical to global energy routes.
“We earnestly hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace,” PM Sharif said, expressing optimism about further progress.
