Washington: Four days of Israeli-Lebanese talks in Washington encountered significant complications due to a recent deal between the United States and Iran, as reported by Axios on Sunday. Officials from both sides acknowledged the potential obstacles the agreement presented, despite the US's efforts to diminish Hezbollah's and Iran's influence in Lebanon. There was skepticism about whether the broader vision of peace outlined in the agreement could ever be fully achieved. According to Anadolu Agency, the negotiations faced further complexities due to understandings reached between the US and Iran in Switzerland. The agreement resulted in Iran securing a memorandum that supported a ceasefire and Lebanon's territorial integrity, alongside the establishment of a "deconfliction cell" involving mediators from Lebanon, Pakistan, and Qatar. Despite these developments, both Israeli and Lebanese officials viewed the arrangements as bolstering Hezbollah's position and legitimizing Iran's role in the region. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter described the new US-Iran understandings on Lebanon as "a train wreck" during the opening session. Lebanese officials, seeking clarification, found themselves at a disadvantage, with one source commenting on how "the Lebanese were on their heels." While US mediators maintained that the objective was to achieve an Israeli-Lebanese agreement free from external interference, a US official admitted that the initial day of talks was "pretty ugly." Negotiations proceeded along separate political and security tracks, aiming to establish a framework agreement, a security annex, and Israeli withdrawals from two pilot zones. Although some progress was made by Wednesday, talks stalled on Thursday over the terms of withdrawal, prompting both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to seek additional time. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and senior officials intensified efforts to emphasize President Donald Trump's desire to final ize a deal by the week's end. The US proposed that Israel make two changes to the text, including withdrawing from a village in southern Lebanon and including a statement indicating the beginning of a broader redeployment process out of Lebanon. A heated exchange ensued as Ambassador Leiter urged Netanyahu to accept the changes. He later described these consultations as "customary" and characterized disagreements as "natural." He noted that during one of the update calls, there was a "professional, substantive, and at times sharp discussion" where a range of views was expressed to maximize the achievements of the negotiations while safeguarding Israel's vital interests. Despite the challenges and deep-seated mistrust, a source indicated that both parties ultimately recognized the need for a deal to maintain control over the process and prevent further Iranian influence.