Kamal Ghorui
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has postponed his planned visit to the United States and the United Nations, citing “current internal circumstances” and the need to focus on national security.“In light of the current internal circumstances… I have decided to postpone my trip to the United Nations and the United States,” Salam said in a post on X, adding that he would remain in Beirut to oversee government work and safeguard “the security of the Lebanese people and their unity.”The visit was expected to include meetings with senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marking a key diplomatic engagement.
Iran warning, Hezbollah tensions
Salam’s decision comes amid rising tensions, with Iran warning Beirut against sidelining Hezbollah in upcoming talks with Israel. An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader cautioned that ignoring the group’s role would expose Lebanon to “irreparable security risks,” reported New York Post.Pro-Hezbollah protests were also reported in Beirut, where demonstrators burned images of Salam and accused him of aligning with Israel.Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran remains in constant contact with Lebanon to ensure ceasefire commitments are upheld, while also flagging violations on the ground.
Strikes continue despite ceasefire push
The postponement comes as Israeli strikes continue across Lebanon, with at least 14 people killed in recent attacks and the overall death toll nearing 1,950, according to Lebanese officials.Israel has maintained that its operations against Hezbollah are separate from broader ceasefire efforts linked to Iran, complicating diplomatic attempts to stabilise the region.
Fragile diplomacy and wider conflict
Recently, the recent US-Iran talks in Islamabad failed, where Vice President J D Vance confirmed no agreement was reached after 21 hours of negotiations.The conflict, which began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, has widened to include Hezbollah in Lebanon and disrupted global energy markets, particularly through tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.Despite Salam’s decision, talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives are still expected to take place in Washington, though their outcome remains uncertain amid ongoing hostilities and deep mistrust between the parties.
