A partial ceasefire announced by Lebanon on Monday would entail Israel refraining from strikes on Beirut and Hezbollah-controlled suburbs of the Lebanese capital, while the Iran-aligned group would halt its attacks on Israel.
Lebanon said it would seek to expand the ceasefire in talks with Israel in Washington on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing criticism domestically over any agreement to hold back from further attacks on Beirut, ahead of an election later this year that he is projected to lose.
IRAN PUSHES FOR LIMITED DEAL
In the wider war, Iran is pushing for a limited interim agreement as it tries to ease mounting economic pressure while avoiding major concessions on its nuclear programme, according to Iranian sources.
As part of any deal, Tehran is seeking an end to hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon, access to billions of dollars in oil revenues, waivers on crude exports, a lifting of a US blockade on its ports, and continued leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump is under pressure to reopen the strait and curb US fuel prices while not making concessions to Iran.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that 24 vessels had transited the strait in the past 24 hours after obtaining permission from the Guards’ navy.
Iran threatened on Monday to expand its blockade to the Bab El Mandeb Strait, another chokepoint at the mouth of the Red Sea, if Israel resumed strikes on Beirut.
