Iran war’s costs rise as Tehran warns Trump any new attack would bring “painful retaliation”

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has called on Lebanon’s government to further its engagement with Israel – and tacitly, to sideline the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah which, while designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel, has been a massive force in Lebanese politics for decades.

“Lebanon stands at a crossroads. Its people have a historic opportunity to reclaim their country and shape their future as a truly sovereign, independent nation,” the embassy said in a social media post on Thursday, warning the “time for hesitation is over.”

The post did not refer directly to Hezbollah, but said Lebanon should have “never been at war” with neighboring Israel. Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the regional conflict by launching attacks on northern Israeli communities in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28. 

Israel responded with overwhelming force, opening a new offensive against Hezbollah with a blistering campaign of airstrikes across the country, and later an ongoing ground invasion in the south of Lebanon that authorities say has killed almost 2,590 people and displaced more than a million. Israeli leaders have said forces will continue to occupy a buffer zone across southern Lebanon, from which residents have been forced to evacuate, indefinitely, until the Hezbollah threat is removed.

Hezbollah and Israel have accused each other of near daily violations of a ceasefire the Trump administration brokered between the Israeli and Lebanese governments, which has been extended until mid-May.

The U.S. embassy said Thursday that “a direct meeting between [Lebanon’s] President Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu, facilitated by President Trump, would give Lebanon the chance to secure concrete guarantees on full sovereignty, territorial integrity, secure borders, humanitarian and reconstruction support, and the complete restoration of Lebanese state authority over every inch of its territory — guaranteed by the United States.”

“This is Lebanon’s moment to decide its own destiny, one which belongs to all its people. The United States is ready to stand with Lebanon as it seizes this opportunity with confidence and wisdom,” it said. “The time for hesitation is over.”

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam met Friday with U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa at his office in Beirut, for “discussions focused on consolidating the ceasefire and on talks related to negotiations with Israel,” Salam’s office said in a brief statement.