US intelligence estimates that a large-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is expected to break out in the coming weeks if a cease-fire agreement is not reached between Israel and Hamas.
U.S. officials are working to try to convince both sides not to escalate the situation © Mena Today
US intelligence estimates that a large-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is expected to break out in the coming weeks if a cease-fire agreement is not reached between Israel and Hamas, Politico reported on Thursday, in the wake of the announcement by the U.S. Embassy in Beirut which it suggests that American citizens "reconsider" travel to Lebanon.
U.S. officials are working to try to convince both sides not to escalate the situation, and estimate that this task will be simpler if there is an agreement to calm Israel's southern border.
But it is not certain that an agreement will be reached based on the proposal that is on the table.
Meanwhile, according to two senior U.S. officials, the IDF and Hezbollah have already prepared combat plans and are working to obtain weapons and ammunition in preparation for a possible conflict.
Another senior official in the Biden administration estimated that "the risk of war at this time is the highest in recent weeks."
Peace talks led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf were set to begin on Sunday morning at a Swiss mountaintop resort as both nations seek a durable end to their war while disagreeing over Iran's claim that it had closed the vital Strait of Hormuz.
A high-level Iranian team departed for Switzerland on Saturday for talks with the United States, Iranian state media reported, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicated he would set off soon for meetings that Pakistan said will begin on Sunday.
There are mistakes, and then there are betrayals dressed up as diplomacy. Donald Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran - one that folds Lebanon into a ceasefire framework between Israel and Hezbollah - belongs firmly in the second category.
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