Second round of Israel-Lebanon talks expected Thursday amid Iran war tensions

Source: Scripps News

Posted 3:29 PM, Apr 20, 2026


A second round of talks between Israel and Lebanon are expected in Washington on Thursday, U.S. and Israeli sources confirm to Scripps News, as negotiators work to maintain a fragile truce between the nations and explore possibilities of normalizing relations.

The talks will take place at the “ambassador-level” at the State Department, according to a Department official, mirroring the format to the first round of historic negotiations that took place there on Apr. 14, which the official described as “productive.”

“We will continue to organize direct and good-faith negotiations between the two governments,” the official added.

The source would not say which American officials are expected to participate in Thursday’s meeting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michael Issa and Counselor to the State Department Mike Needham all participated in the first round of talks, and U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz was also present for a photo opportunity before they kicked off.

Read more: https://www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/iran-war/second-round-of-israel-lebanon-talks-expected-thursday-amid-iran-war-tensions