Joseph Aoun

The US and Iran exchanged accusations following renewed attacks, with the US striking over 80 targets in Iran and Iran claiming to have hit 85 US military facilities. The US Treasury revoked a license for Iranian oil sales, and military officials indicated ongoing strikes. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to visit Israel, and bombs near a hotel in Damascus injured 18 people during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit.

The White House has invited Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to visit the US on 21 July, according to Reuters citing an American official.

An attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman has heightened tensions, with US officials blaming Iran and Iran stating the vessel ignored warnings. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun plans to meet US President Donald Trump to discuss an agreement with Israel, while Iran's Parliament Speaker vowed to punish 'arrogant powers' following the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hamas announced the dissolution of its governing body in Gaza, shifting toward civilian rule.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is preparing to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House before the end of July to discuss the framework of an agreement with Israel.

Lebanon's president, Joseph Aoun, stated that Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon is preventing the Lebanese army's deployment to the area. He emphasized the need to pressure Israel to withdraw its forces, as the occupation undermines state legitimacy and hinders peace efforts. The two sides are preparing to implement a deal involving army deployment and gradual Israeli withdrawal.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the US to continue supporting Lebanon's institutions, army, and people following a US-backed peace deal with Israel. The deal, which includes Hezbollah disarmament and gradual Israeli withdrawal, faces resistance from Hezbollah and ongoing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. A ceasefire remains uneven as displaced residents return home amid continued military presence.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the United States to support his country after a US-backed framework deal with Israel aimed at ending hostilities. The deal includes Hezbollah disarmament, Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and Lebanese army deployment, but Hezbollah has rejected it.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defended a US-backed peace framework with Israel as a 'diplomatic war' and vowed not to surrender territory, amid Syrian assurances of no military intervention. The agreement aims to establish Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah disarms and Israel withdraws, though Israeli forces remain in 'security zones'.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated he would not surrender 'a single inch of Lebanon's territory' to Israel and defended ongoing negotiations with Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the Israeli army would remain in 'security zones' in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip 'until further notice'.

Syria's foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, stated during a Beirut visit that Syria is open to meeting Hezbollah if required, according to Lebanon's state news agency. He met with Lebanese leaders including President Joseph Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally. This visit occurred after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Syrian forces might combat Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun defended the country’s ceasefire framework with Israel, rejecting criticism from Hezbollah supporters protesting the agreement. The framework, mediated by the US, faced backlash for not linking Israeli troop withdrawal to Hezbollah’s disarmament. Aoun emphasized Lebanon’s sovereignty in negotiations and urged against public discord.

Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered framework agreement on June 26, 2026, aiming to restore state sovereignty and facilitate Israel's withdrawal. The deal faces widespread opposition in Lebanon, with critics accusing Beirut of making concessions without securing immediate ceasefire terms or binding timelines for Israeli withdrawal.

US Central Command (Centcom) commander Adm. Brad Cooper met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Lebanese Armed Forces commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal to discuss implementing a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Cooper also met US troops in Israel and recognized their contributions, with over 50,000 US personnel deployed across the Middle East.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun told US Central Command head Admiral Brad Cooper that Beirut intends to assert sovereignty over all territory, including the Israeli border. Cooper also met Lebanon's army chief Rodolphe Haykal to discuss regional developments and a US-brokered Israel-Lebanon peace agreement.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated his commitment to deploying the army to the southern border with Israel, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. He discussed this with US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper, emphasizing extending state authority through military forces. The conversation included preparations for a framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel, and the US.

The United States conducted strikes on Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Israel began implementing a US-backed framework agreement, despite Hezbollah's opposition, while regional tensions escalated over security threats in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a call from US President Donald Trump, who expressed support for a trilateral ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Trump welcomed the deal's signing and affirmed US backing for efforts to maintain the ceasefire. Lebanon continues to face pressure to implement the agreement, which aims to halt Israeli attacks and reduce border tensions.

Trump congratulated Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on signing a framework agreement with Israel. The US aims to advance talks between Lebanon and Israel through this agreement, despite ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanese territory.

Israel and Lebanon, with U.S. involvement, signed a framework agreement described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict with Hezbollah. The agreement aims to restore Lebanese sovereignty, end hostilities, and address security concerns, though details remain undisclosed. The conflict, which began in March 2024, has resulted in over 4,000 deaths in Lebanon and 37 Israeli soldier fatalities, with ongoing tensions over Hezbollah's disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal.

Lebanon and Israel began a fifth round of direct negotiations in Washington, with Lebanon seeking an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Israel linking any withdrawal to Hezbollah's disarmament. A new US-Iran diplomatic channel and a deconfliction mechanism negotiated in Switzerland have shifted the diplomatic landscape, raising questions about Lebanon's control over the talks. President Joseph Aoun emphasized Lebanon's sovereignty, rejecting foreign negotiation on its behalf.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the implementation of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. The US affirmed support for Lebanon's security and sovereignty, emphasizing follow-up on the ceasefire as agreed with Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejected Israel's occupation of south Lebanon and foreign interference, calling for the full restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty. He expressed hope that the fifth round of Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington would achieve this goal.

The US is hosting the fifth round of Lebanon-Israel negotiations in Washington, DC, from 23 to 25 June to work towards a lasting peace agreement. The talks, mediated by the US, involve Lebanon and Israel and follow previous meetings hosted by Washington. US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott mentioned Secretary Marco Rubio's discussion with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun about the negotiations.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least 21 and wounded over 39, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the escalation, stating it undermines ceasefire efforts amid developments between the United States and Iran.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem urged Lebanese authorities to leverage a pivotal moment following a US-Iran deal aimed at ending the Middle East war. The deal, which includes Lebanon, precedes Israeli-Lebanese negotiations, though Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated the talks are independent of the regional agreement.

President Trump stated the US would 'start the process again' if Iran does not reach a deal. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized any settlement would not be 'at our expense.'

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that his country's negotiations with Israel in Washington are independent of the US-Iran deal, emphasizing Lebanon's sovereignty in the talks. The discussions aim to end hostilities between Lebanon and Hezbollah and separate their conflict from the broader regional war.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Lebanon’s peace talks with Israel in Washington are independent of the US-Iran deal. The negotiations aim to end hostilities with Hezbollah and separate the conflict from the wider regional war, while the US-Iran deal, involving mediator Pakistan, includes Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed preparations for the next round of Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington. The talks aim to address a final cessation of firing, Israeli forces withdrawal from occupied lands, Lebanese army deployment to borders, the return of Lebanese prisoners, and reconstruction efforts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed Lebanon-related provisions of the US-Iran agreement with Lebanese leaders, including President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The discussions occur amid conflicting reports about the agreement's scope regarding Lebanon and its connection to Israel's actions in the country.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned the country faces a critical choice between establishing state authority under the rule of law or remaining under militia control. Gebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, criticized Hezbollah's actions but blamed Israel for past conflicts and current tensions, as political divisions deepen and Israel issues displacement warnings in southern Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia has ended a five-year ban on Lebanese imports, a move aimed at improving relations following tensions over drug smuggling and political criticism. The decision follows Lebanon's efforts to disarm non-state groups, though specific steps remain unspecified, and is expected to support Lebanon's struggling economy.

Saudi Arabia has ended a five-year ban on Lebanese imports, citing positive steps by Lebanon to address regional concerns. The ban, imposed in 2021 over drug smuggling and political criticism, was lifted as part of efforts to improve Gulf-Lebanon relations and support Lebanon's struggling economy.

Veteran Israeli negotiator Nimrod Novik discusses the first major exchange of fire between Israel and Iran since the April ceasefire. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun shares a direct message to Israelis, Iranians, and Lebanese in an interview. Former FBI agent Jacqueline Maguire discusses how upheaval at the Bureau is affecting U.S. safety.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun directly appealed to the Israeli government and its people to pursue negotiations instead of war, stating that a military solution would not ensure security. He emphasized Lebanon's readiness and willingness to engage in talks if Israel is also committed.

A Hezbollah official and Lebanese Parliament member, Ibrahim Al Moussawi, rejected claims that Lebanon is a bargaining chip for Iran, stating that any ceasefire should apply to all of Lebanon. He criticized Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's accusation that Iran uses Lebanon in negotiations with the Trump administration, calling the claim 'nonsense' and asserting Iran's support for Lebanon.

An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed three Lebanese soldiers, including two officers, as tensions persist despite recent U.S.-mediated truce discussions. Lebanon condemned the attack as a violation of its sovereignty, while Hezbollah rejected the proposed truce terms, demanding Israeli troop withdrawals. Israel renewed evacuation orders for southern villages, intensifying strikes in the region.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Israel 'will never be able to achieve their objective' of defeating Hezbollah, asserting that Hezbollah is an idea rather than a geographic target. He compared Israel's potential military actions to those in Gaza, suggesting Hamas remains despite such efforts.

Israeli airstrikes killed nine people, including Lebanese army officers, following a ceasefire deal. The Israeli military confirmed hitting a vehicle and stated the incident is under review. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's claim that Iran is using Lebanon as a 'bargaining chip' in negotiations with the United States. Araghchi countered that if Lebanon were a bargaining chip, a deal would have already been reached and accused Aoun of misrepresenting Iran's role in Lebanon.