Lebanese president, US discuss trilateral cell with Iran to cement ceasefire

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday discussed with senior US officials the establishment of a trilateral coordination cell — comprising Washington, Beirut, and Tehran — to consolidate the ceasefire in Lebanon and oversee the implementation of related security measures, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency. The talks took place during a phone call with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the presidency said.

Officials affirmed during the conversation that "arrangements regarding the structure and formation of this cell are currently under study," the statement said, adding that they also addressed the latest developments in Lebanon and the period following the Switzerland talks between Washington and Tehran.

US support for state authority

Vance and Rubio expressed US support for the Lebanese government "in its approach to extend the state authority and strengthen its national sovereignty over all its territory through its army and security forces alone," the statement noted. Aoun thanked the US officials for Washington's interest in Lebanon "with the aim of ending the war there and strengthening the authority of the Lebanese state."

Regional backdrop

The call comes after a US-Iran memorandum of understanding entered into force on June 18, following its electronic signing by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The agreement includes a provision committing the parties to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 4,100 people and injured over 12,000 others since March 2, according to official Lebanese figures.