Washington: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has successfully persuaded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce military operations against Lebanon. During a brief telephone interview with NBC News, Trump revealed, “I spoke with Bibi and he’s going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key.”

According to Anadolu Agency, the president’s diplomatic efforts come in the wake of a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, declared on Tuesday, following over a month of escalating conflict in the region. The US and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday to negotiate a permanent resolution to the hostilities.

Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming negotiations, suggesting that Iran’s leaders have shown a more conciliatory attitude in private discussions compared to their public statements. “They’re agreeing to all the things that they have to agree to. Remember, they’ve been conquered. They have no military,” Trump stated, emphasizing the potential consequences if no deal is reached.

Despite the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, Israel intensified its military offensive in Lebanon, conducting one of its largest strikes since the beginning of the conflict with Hezbollah last month. The assault resulted in at least 254 fatalities and 1,165 injuries, as reported by Lebanon’s Civil Defense. This escalation has sparked fears of a potential renewed Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, possibly extending to the Litani River.