APTOPIX Lebanon Israel US

From left, Michael Needham, counselor for the U.S. Dept. of State, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter pose for a photo before a meeting at the State Department in Washington, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

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Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington

Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington

Lebanon and Israel have held direct diplomatic talks for the first time in decades. Tuesday's more than two-hour meeting in Washington came after more than a month of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The State Department praised the two sides for what it called “productive discussions.” Israel's ambassador to the U.S. hailed what he called a convergence of opinion about removing Hezbollah's influence from Lebanon. Lebanon's ambassador to the U.S. called for a ceasefire and to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. Hezbollah opposed the direct talks and wasn’t represented. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the talks a “historic opportunity.”

The Latest: Iran threatens to disrupt Gulf trade in response to US naval blockade

The Latest: Iran threatens to disrupt Gulf trade in response to US naval blockade

The leader of Iran’s joint military command has threatened to halt trade in the Gulf region if the U.S. does not lift its blockade of Iranian ports, while U.S. Central Command says no vessels have made it past U.S. naval forces during the first 48 hours of the blockade. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday also said the war in Iran was “very close to over" and claimed China has agreed not to provide weapons to Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. may levy secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with Iran. Meanwhile, mediators have made progress with efforts to resume negotiations about a ceasefire extension.