Lebanon-Israel: the Rome Meetings Kick Off the Pilot Zones Process
As Israeli forces continue their intermittent targeted raids in southern Lebanon and systematically dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure in the region, the sixth round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, which concluded Wednesday in Rome under U.S. auspices, appears to have officially and concretely launched the long and perilous process of the IDF's gradual withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Following two days of meetings on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, in the Italian capital, both authorized American and Lebanese sources described the outcome of this sixth round of Lebanese-Israeli talks as "fruitful" and "positive." The U.S. Embassy in Beirut indicated that concrete measures had been agreed upon for the establishment of the first two pilot zones, which should allow the Lebanese army to deploy in sectors to be vacated by the Israelis.
The precise technical details will be finalized in the coming days, the U.S. Embassy noted, adding that this will enable a move toward broader discussions leading to the implementation of "all aspects" of the framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel "with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement" between the two countries.
This positive assessment of the Rome talks was shared by a Lebanese source as well as by a senior Israeli official, quoted by Maariv, who stated Wednesday that Lebanon and Israel had reached "an agreement regarding the first two pilot zones in southern Lebanon." The official further noted that both countries regard "the disarmament of Hezbollah as a fundamental objective" of the ongoing process defined by the framework agreement.
Trump renews pressure over Sharaa
Regarding the fate of Hezbollah, President Donald Trump renewed his pressure on Wednesday over the role that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa could play in dismantling the Hezbollah militia. "President Sharaa would like to step in and deal with Hezbollah, and I'm thinking of giving him the green light," the White House chief declared, elaborating that the Syrian leader would be "more precise than the Israelis in his approach to dealing with Hezbollah." "He will do it differently, without destroying buildings," he added.
This proposal, already put forward by President Trump on several occasions in recent days but rejected by the Lebanese, will likely be raised during the visit President Joseph Aoun will make to Washington on July 21, where he will be received at the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also undoubtedly discuss it during his planned visit to Washington at the start of next week.
Sleiman Frangieh and Mahmoud Komati sanctioned by Iraq
Also worth noting, in the chapter on curbing the militia activities of the pro-Iranian party, the Iraqi government has added Lebanese Hezbollah to its banking sanctions list in an evident bid to cut off the pro-Iranian party's funding sources. At the same time, Iraqi authorities also imposed banking sanctions on Marada leader, former minister and MP Sleiman Frangieh, and on the Deputy President of Hezbollah's Political Council, Mahmoud Komati—both of whom had already been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
These sanctions come in the wake of meetings held a few days ago in Washington between Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and President Trump. Al-Zaidi framed those talks as centered on a "strategic partnership" with the United States. President Trump set the tone for that partnership by indicating that American companies would handle the extraction of Iraqi oil. "The Iraqis," the president stated, "no longer want to deal with anyone else — they want to deal with the United States, and that is actually one of the reasons I was convinced he (al-Zaidi) would make an excellent Prime Minister."
U.S. strikes on IRGC positions
On the Iranian front, the U.S. military continued its attacks on Wednesday morning and throughout the day and evening, targeting missile and drone launch sites, as well as radar systems and military infrastructure belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in southern Iran, along the coastline facing the Strait of Hormuz. The island of Hengam, also in southern Iran, was likewise struck in the American attacks. President Trump noted in this regard that "next week could be the worst Iran has ever experienced"…
It is worth noting in this context that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), under the U.S. Department of the Treasury, has imposed sanctions on seven individuals and entities accused of involvement in an international network participating in the IRGC's arms procurement efforts.