Israel and Lebanon resumed direct talks in Washington, D.C., on the 2nd (local time), AFP reported. The talks will be held over two days at the U.S. State Department.

Armed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, a pro-Iran militant faction in Lebanon, have emerged as a variable in the U.S.-Iran end-of-war talks. Iranian media reported that the Iranian side decided to halt talks with the United States, considering Israel's strikes on Lebanon a cease-fire violation.

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on the 6th./Courtesy of AFP Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media the previous day that he communicated separately with Israel and Hezbollah to stop the fighting and that he hopes both sides reach a permanent peace agreement.

Israel and Lebanon reached a cease-fire agreement in April under U.S. mediation, but subsequent clashes have continued, adding to instability in the Middle East.

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