Jerusalem, Jun 30 (V7N) — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on treating the Iran and Lebanon conflicts as part of the same framework during ceasefire negotiations, despite Israel's preference to handle the two issues separately.

Speaking to reporters on Monday (June 29), Katz said he had reservations about linking the two conflicts but acknowledged that the move reflected Washington's broader strategic priorities.

"The United States was very interested in advancing potential negotiations with Iran. From its perspective, the situation in Lebanon was a major obstacle to those talks," Katz said.

According to Katz, Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon. However, he stated that Washington supports Israel's continued military presence until the Lebanese Army completes the disarmament of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah across the country.

Lebanon Remains Key Sticking Point

The Lebanon issue has become one of the principal obstacles to ongoing diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington.

Iran has insisted that Israel must fully withdraw its forces from Lebanon before any final agreement with the United States can be reached.

Israel, however, maintains that it will not withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed, making the issue a major point of contention alongside ceasefire negotiations and broader diplomatic talks.

Claims on Border Villages

Katz also claimed that Israeli forces have destroyed all villages located west of the Lebanon-Israel border and approximately 73 percent of villages along the remaining sections of the frontier.

He further alleged that around 200,000 displaced residents of southern Lebanon would not be permitted to return to their homes. These claims could not be independently verified.

Warning to Hezbollah and Iran

The Israeli defense minister warned that Israel would launch new strikes on Beirut's Dahiyeh district—widely regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold—if the group attacks northern Israel again.

Katz also said that if President Donald Trump determines that diplomatic talks with Iran have failed, or if Iran launches another attack against Israel, Israel is prepared to initiate a new military operation against Tehran.

END/SMA/AJ