The most significant aspect of the sixth round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, held under US auspices in Rome, is that it confirms the determination of the Lebanese legitimate authorities, led by President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the government majority, to assert their role as the decision makers in restoring sovereignty, reclaiming the decision over war and peace from Iran and its local arm, “Hezbollah,” choosing the path of negotiations to turn the page on the war with Israel, and liberating all Lebanese territory from occupation, whatever its source may be.

In light of the above, it is striking that the US Iranian negotiation track appears to be collapsing amid the reciprocal strikes between US forces and Iranian forces along the Iranian coastline overlooking the Arabian Gulf. These strikes in some way revive the scene of the latest war that erupted on February 28 and raise fears of escalation into a broad open war across the region, stretching from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea and reaching the Mediterranean.

This is why the Lebanese legitimate authorities decided to confront attempts by Iran and “Hezbollah” to link the Lebanese issue to the US Iranian negotiations through the Islamabad Switzerland platform.

The Islamabad track is fragmenting

Despite Iran’s insistence on placing the Lebanese ceasefire at the top of the provisions of the US Iranian memorandum of understanding, and despite “Hezbollah’s” celebration of what it considered a victory over the state, it has become clear that Iran’s attempt to obstruct direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel by using multiple political and media channels has ended in a complete failure. The Islamabad track is now falling apart before the eyes of the Iranians, while Washington’s track, based on the tripartite framework agreement, continues and is becoming firmly established as a permanent path for negotiations and de-escalation, as well as for reaching lasting agreements between the two countries to end the war, through ensuring security requirements on the Lebanese side and a complete withdrawal on the Israeli side.

In this context, the overwhelming majority of Lebanese are counting on the role of the army in implementing the decisions of the legitimate political authorities. This means that the army is moving quickly to deploy in the areas that will be vacated by the Israeli army, with the deployment expected to be effective and decisive in dismantling the military and security infrastructure of the aforementioned party, taking control of the territory, and preventing its members from infiltrating the evacuated areas.

Respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty

“Hezbollah” has no choice but to comply with the law that applies to all Lebanese citizens by submitting to the decision of the Lebanese legitimate authorities to place all weapons under state control and by announcing a complete ban on its security and military activities. The recklessness and hostility of the Iranian regime in the region will not save it, because “Hezbollah” has become excluded from the equation of major alliances in the country. It is also suffering from real political and moral isolation, while being subjected continuously to waves of crippling US and international sanctions that will dismantle its security, military, and financial structure.

As for Iran, it must be confronted with a clear choice: either respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs under any pretext, or the Lebanese state must seriously consider severing diplomatic relations as a first step toward sending a harsh message from a new Lebanon that the Iranians do not know.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar