The meetings in Washington between the US, Israel, and Lebanon are important, but it remains to be seen what concrete changes can emerge. Follow us on GoogleIDF soldiers conducting counterterrorism operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, published May 24, 2026.(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)BySETH J. FRANTZMANJUNE 3, 2026 16:02The US is increasing pressure on Hezbollah and is seeking to get Israel to avoid striking Beirut as Washington hosts Israel-Lebanon talks. Lebanon has become a key issue for the American administration.“Hezbollah is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, Hezbollah is an enemy of Lebanon and of the Lebanese people," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.Rubio has also said that Israel and Lebanon could already have peace if it were not for Hezbollah. He has also said that “we received communications via the Lebanese government and the Speaker over there on behalf of Hezbollah as early as Sunday that they would restrain from attacking Israeli territory if Israel did not take new strikes in Beirut. It came from Hezbollah, but through Lebanese authorities.” The top American diplomat was speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It is one of several hearings and meetings he is having.Israeli self-propelled artillery vehicles travel in a convoy toward southern Lebanon near the Israeli-Lebanese border, May 27, 2026. (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)This comes amid reports that the US is still focused on a possible plan to help support the Lebanese army by training some portion of it.This is a plan that was raised earlier this year, and it considers a concept of training vetted Lebanese soldiers."What we’re working towards establishing is a system that actually works where vetted units within the Lebanese Armed Forces have the training, the equipment, and the capability to go after elements of Hizballah and dismantle them so Israel doesn’t have to do it," Rubio told Fox News in April. The US is concerned that Hezbollah has been dragging Lebanon back into war since March. It is also concerned about Israel’s military operations.Recent reports indicate the Lebanese army deployed in the southern city of Tyre in a Christian area of the old city. Israel has warned that Hezbollah is using this congested urban area.US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz also spoke on Tuesday about Hezbollah's threat.“President Trump—who cares deeply about Lebanon personally—has proposed a clear sequence to end the conflict: Hezbollah, which started the fighting, must stop its attacks in Israel,” he wrote on social media.“This will create space for gradual de-escalation and, ultimately, a cessation of hostilities. Hizballah has repeatedly rejected this offer…The path is clear: Hezbollah stops attacking Israel,” he added.“The Lebanese Armed Forces and the legitimate Government of Lebanon assert control over Lebanese territory. And Iran stops using Lebanon as a forward operating base.”“The Lebanese people, who have suffered for far too long, finally get a chance to rebuild a country that belongs to them—not Hezbollah, not its thug leadership, and certainly not to Tehran.”The US focus on Lebanon is designed to move the ball forward.However, many things are in motion. Hezbollah attacks have continued. Israeli soldiers in Lebanon have suffered casualties from Hezbollah FPV optic fiber drones. In addition, there appear to be some tensions between the White House and Israel’s Prime Minister over Israel's desire to strike the Dahiyeh area in southern Beirut. Hezbollah is watching this, as is Iran.Iran wants to use Lebanon as part of an Iran deal and prevent Israeli advances and secure Hezbollah’s continued role. The meetings in Washington between the US, Israel, and Lebanon are important, but it remains to be seen what concrete changes can emerge.Follow us on Google