Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that Washington expects Hezbollah to refrain from firing rockets and drones into Israel, and expects Israel not to "run wild" in Lebanon, according to Amichai Stein (i24NEWS). The statement, which follows a similar White House message, signals the administration's continued efforts to manage escalation on the northern front.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking on Thursday afternoon, expanded on his earlier message with a symmetrical U.S. demand for the northern front: Hezbollah must hold its fire, and Israel must not 'run wild' in Lebanon. The comment was carried by Amichai Stein (i24NEWS).
At the same time (18:41 Jerusalem), the thread shows two parallel reports: Abu Ali Express published a version that already included both sides of the expectation, while Stein's initial report (18:41 Jerusalem) quoted Vance as only warning Israel not to 'run wild.' By 18:42 Jerusalem, The Zioneer published that initial, one-sided version. The updated statement now attributed to Vance adds the new, symmetrical call — that Hezbollah also refrain from rocket and drone fire — reflecting a further evolution of the administration's messaging on the Lebanon front.
The Vance statement follows similar framing by a White House official on Wednesday (17 June, 21:11 Jerusalem) who said Iran must rein in Hezbollah and that any attack would draw an Israeli response. As The Zioneer reported on Sunday (14 June, 17:48 Jerusalem), U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Israel's Lebanon response as 'restrained' and echoed the call for Iran to curb Hezbollah. Those statements, in turn, followed a dramatic report on Tuesday 9 June (15:17 Jerusalem) that Iran had instructed Hezbollah to refrain from rocket fire. The U.S. messaging has shifted from a one-sided demand on Israel to a paired demand on both parties.
What remains open is the degree of Hezbollah's actual compliance. The thread shows an ongoing pattern of Hezbollah attacks and Israeli pinpoint strikes, and the administration's own public statements have evolved alongside events. It is not yet verified whether Vance's latest formulation reflects a change in operational reality or simply a more complete articulation of existing policy.
2 developments
- DevelopingWhite House senior official: Iran must limit Hezbollah movements, any attack will draw direct Israeli response
- DevelopingUS Defense Secretary Hegseth: Israel's Lebanon response restrained, Iran must rein in Hezbollah
- DevelopingIran reportedly orders Hezbollah to refrain from rocket fire on Israel, threatens severe measures
- StrongNetanyahu tells Trump southern Lebanon strikes 'light casualties' so far, expects Hezbollah to hold fire
Source and signal
- Internal intake