Iran, US to set up ‘deconfliction cell’ to stop military ops in Lebanon, mediators say

Iran and the United States agree to set up a “deconfliction cell” with Lebanon to stop military operations there, Pakistan and Qatar, which are mediating the US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland, say in a joint statement.

The conflict in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group has continued despite multiple declarations of truces, and has threatened to derail US-Iran peace talks.

“The parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the Mediators, to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon,” the joint statement reads.

The statement mentions neither Hezbollah nor Israel, which are not parties to the Switzerland talks. The memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran declared a ceasefire in Lebanon, but Israel has vowed to keep its military in a buffer zone in the country’s south.

Israel is conducting a separate track of negotiations with Lebanon, with the next round of those talks set to take place beginning on Tuesday.