- 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.
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