Demonstration by Hezbollah supporters in front of the Government Serail to protest the authorities' decision to begin direct negotiations with Israel, April 11, 2026. (Credit: Ibrahim AMRO/AFP)

In Lebanon, the Iran–Israel standoff takes hold, with the street as leverage

Three days before negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv in Washington, Tehran has issued an explicit threat to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

by · L'Orient Today

Amid ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad, and with uncertainty surrounding a possible cease-fire in Lebanon, Beirut on Saturday was the scene of a new demonstration organized by Hezbollah supporters. The protesters voiced their rejection of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, advocating for the Lebanese issue to be linked to the Iranian one.Meanwhile, Lebanon has received signals from abroad indicating that Washington has secured, at least for now, a de-escalation from Israel in Beirut and its southern suburbs. The idea would be to return to the status quo before Hezbollah entered the war on March 2. Lebanon, for its part, is maintaining its demand for a genuine truce or even a comprehensive cease-fire during negotiations with Israel.According to diplomatic sources, the Americans insist that...

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