Iran and the United States, meanwhile, laid out sharply contrasting agendas for talks that aim to forge a more durable peace in the region. Both Iranian officials questioned whether the ceasefire could hold, saying the ceasefire agreement had been undermined by Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon, where Israel has been pursuing a parallel war with the Iran-aligned militia Hezbollah. "The US must choose - ceasefire or continued war via Israel. Israel and the United States both said the two-week ceasefire did not cover Lebanon, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes would continue. Though both the United States and Iran declared victory in a five-week-old war that has killed thousands, their core disputes remained unresolved.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 08, 2026 20:31 UTC