With Israel's security cabinet convening on Wednesday to discuss a potential ceasefire in Lebanon, a U.S. official told Axios that President Trump would "welcome and be happy with an end of hostilities."
Why it matters: The ceasefire is politically sensitive for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but — while the two tracks are officially separate — it could help President Trump reach a peace deal with Iran.
What they're saying: "The U.S. hasn't asked Israel for a ceasefire in Lebanon and it's not part of the peace negotiations with Iran. But the president would welcome and be happy with an end of hostilities as part of an agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the U.S. official said.
- Israeli officials said the war in Lebanon and a potential ceasefire would be discussed during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday night, but thus far Israel has not formally agreed to a truce.
State of play: Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a rare meeting between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats on Tuesday.
- The Lebanese ambassador raised a request for a ceasefire during the meeting. Hezbollah has not said whether it supports the idea.
- Netanyahu had rejected Lebanese proposals for direct talks until Trump pushed him to deescalate last week. Israel had been stepping up its offensive, including with a string of deadly strikes in the 24 hours after the Iran ceasefire was agreed.
- Tehran claims its truce with Washington also covered Lebanon, and that Israel (and by extension the U.S.) is violating it. Israel and the U.S. deny that.
Between the lines: Israel, Lebanon and the U.S. have all stressed that their talks and any potential agreement aren't coming at the behest of Iran.
- But deescalation in Lebanon would simplify ongoing U.S.-Iran diplomacy.
- U.S. and Iranian negotiators made progress in talks on Tuesday on a potential framework agreement to end the war, two U.S. officials said.
Go deeper: The latest on U.S.-Iran talks
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