Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israeli forces had advanced further into Lebanon, even as military representatives from Israel and Lebanon held rare security talks in Washington.
At the same time, Israeli forces continued heavy strikes in southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the United States to intensify efforts to secure a ceasefire. During a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Aoun stressed "the need to exert all efforts to reach a ceasefire".
Ceasefire Remains Fragile
A ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed organization Hezbollah officially came into effect on April 17. However, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement.
Iran has maintained that Lebanon must be included in any broader understanding with the United States aimed at ending the wider regional conflict that escalated earlier this year. Israel and Hezbollah continue to justify their military actions by pointing to alleged violations by the other side.
Netanyahu Claims Military Gains
Netanyahu announced that Israeli troops had crossed the Litani River, located about 30 kilometers north of the Israel-Lebanon border. "Our forces have crossed the Litani, they have moved up to the commanding terrain," he said in a video message released by his office.
He added that Israel was "hitting Hezbollah head on".
The Israeli military also reported intercepting a projectile launched from Lebanon into northern Israel. Officials did not specify whether it was a rocket or a drone and did not report any casualties or damage. Air raid sirens sounded across several northern Israeli communities before the interception.
In a separate statement, the military said it destroyed a Hezbollah launcher overnight after rockets were fired toward northern Israel.
Iran Says No Final Agreement With US
Meanwhile, Iran pushed back against reports suggesting a breakthrough with Washington. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said no agreement with the United States had been finalized.
“Other points have been mentioned, like the nuclear issue. I emphasise, we are focused on the end of war at this point and are not discussing the details of the nuclear plan,” he said.
US officials reportedly said a proposed agreement remains under review and awaits approval from US President Donald Trump. Trump attended a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday but did not make a final decision. A White House official told AFP: "President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines."
The official added, "Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon."
Iran Warns Against Renewed Conflict
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any new conflict would expand well beyond the Middle East. The group said renewed fighting could bring “crushing blows” and “utter ruin” in places opponents “cannot even imagine.”
At the same time, United States Central Command said American forces remain deployed and alert across the region. CENTCOM also released a photo of an F-16 fighter jet conducting patrol operations over the Middle East.
Pentagon Says US Ready for Any Scenario
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington remains fully prepared if hostilities resume. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth said the United States has enough military resources to restart operations if required.
"Our ability to recommence if necessary is that we are more than capable, our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions," he said.
Hegseth also stressed that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a US priority. “We still have global obligations to ensure that, say, Iran doesn’t get a nuclear weapon,” he said.
He further noted that the US remains committed to maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region and warned against any country seeking regional dominance.