Lebanon strikes imperil US-Iran peace talks as toll rises

Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon killed at least 22 people and threatened to derail U.S.–Iran negotiations on a broader ceasefire, complicating a fragile accord that underpins the talks. While U.S. envoys Witkoff and Kushner were en route and Iran’s attendance remained uncertain, mediators urged a ceasefire as a condition for progress. Hezbollah’s stance and ongoing clashes in Nabatieh, Barish, Tyre and the Bekaa Valley added to the fragility. A new round of Israel–Lebanon talks is scheduled in Washington for June 23–25, though Hezbollah’s exclusion and continuing violence may hamper any breakthrough.