US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he believes a deal between Israel and Hezbollah is on track to be signed, according to Israeli media reports. Hegseth stated the question is one of timing, not whether an agreement will be reached, and added that Israel has shown restraint in its response to Hezbollah.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday evening that he believes Israel and Hezbollah are on track to finalize a cease-fire or diplomatic arrangement, framing the timeline as the only remaining variable. Speaking to an official from Lebanon's Parliament, Hegseth characterized the negotiation as in its final phase, according to reports from N12. He also noted that Israel has exercised restraint in its military response to Hezbollah throughout the conflict. This marks Hegseth's most explicit public indication that the US-led mediation effort is approaching a conclusion.
Hegseth's statement comes as the broader regional picture includes ongoing American military pressure on Iran — his own rhetoric on that front has been markedly more confrontational in recent days, with vows of 'powerful and clear' strikes. The Hezbollah track, by contrast, appears to be moving toward de-escalation. As The Zioneer reported in its 17:38 bulletin, the earliest report of the same remarks framed the deal as 'could be signed soon.' Hegseth's phrasing now signals growing confidence within the administration.
What remains open: Hegseth did not specify a target date or disclose outstanding points of disagreement in the negotiations.
5 developments
- StrongRubio: US on track to sign Iran deal, Israeli strikes won't derail process
- DevelopingUS Treasury Secretary: Iran deal could be signed by early next week
- DevelopingHegseth: If we have to negotiate through bombs, we'll negotiate through bombs
- ConfirmedHegseth warns US will hit Iran hard on American terms
Source and signal
- Internal intake