A pivotal phone call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Vice President JD Vance reportedly altered the trajectory of stalled US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan, injecting Israel’s Lebanon concerns as a core sticking point.
Netanyahu urged Vance to condition any Hormuz truce on Hezbollah disarmament and a buffer zone, sources familiar with the discussion revealed. This came hours before Vance’s “no deal” announcement Saturday, after Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf demanded Lebanon’s exclusion from the ceasefire scope.
Strategic Realignment
The call—Vance’s first with Netanyahu since Islamabad—shifted focus from nuclear timelines and frozen assets to simultaneous de-escalation across fronts. Trump, briefed post-call, hardened on “complete victory,” aligning with Israel’s position amid ongoing Beirut strikes killing 200+.
Diplomatic Ripples
Pakistan’s mediation faltered as Iran viewed Lebanon linkage as a US-Israeli ploy; UAE/Saudi quietly back Israel’s security while prioritizing Hormuz flows for India/Asia. Oil spiked past $103 on Trump’s blockade vow.
