Fresh concerns have emerged over the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire after Hezbollah rejected the US-brokered deal, demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Follow for the latest developments from the US-Iran war and the wider conflict across West Asia.
“If I did meet with the new Ayatollah, I would be honored to meet him,” Trump told reporters. Asked whether the Iranian leader might hold a grudge because US-Israeli attacks on February 28 killed his father, wife, and child, Trump replied: “I would say I’m not his favorite person.”
The attacks, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, have plunged the West Asian region into war for over three months now. Negotiations are underway between Washington and Tehran to end the war now contained by a fragile ceasefire.
Trump hinted the Supreme Leader could be “professional”.
“He’s probably a professional in some circles. He has a very good reputation actually… a lot of people say bad about me. It’s totally false, of course,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon is appearing to come undone with Hezbollah’s rejection. The Iran-backed militia is demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and vowing to continue resistance. The rejection threatens efforts to contain the fighting spilling over from the wider US-Iran war.
The development comes a day after Israeli officials warned that any violation of the proposed truce could trigger renewed military action, including strikes on Beirut. Earlier this week, Israel had threatened a major attack on Hezbollah strongholds in the Lebanese capital.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, exchanges of fire and Israeli strikes continued across southern Lebanon.
Follow this live blog for the latest updates from the war in West Asia.
More details here…
