Israel and Hezbollah Appear to Have a Deal

The biggest immediate hurdle to the US-Iran deal appears to have gotten a little smaller. Multiple outlets, including CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times, report that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a renewed ceasefire in Lebanon to take effect later Friday. The reports cite anonymous US officials and diplomats, and officials in Jerusalem have not yet confirmed. The truce was reportedly brokered by the US, Qatar, and Iran.

Earlier, Iran denounced a new Israeli bombardment and warned that any deal with Washington depends on quiet in Lebanon, referencing the first clause of an initial framework with the US. The flare-up has already disrupted diplomacy: Vice President JD Vance delayed a planned trip to Switzerland for technical talks with Tehran, as Iran pushed for assurances the Lebanon front would calm. Vance has faulted Israel's campaign for putting the fragile negotiations at risk.