U.S. and Iran "not there yet" on a deal but "very close," Vance says

8m ago Israel-Lebanon talks set to take place at the Pentagon today, Lebanese media say Security talks between Israel and Lebanon are due to take place Friday at the Pentagon, according to Lebanese media, after a week of escalating Israeli military operations along the two countries' shared border that saw Israeli forces push deeper into the neighboring nation. Citing unnamed sources, Lebanon's Aljadeed TV reported Thursday that the meeting was expected to pave the way for broader political negotiations scheduled for June 2. Lebanese media reports said the Lebanese military delegation would be headed by Brig. Gen. Georges Rizkallah, Director of Operations for the Lebanese Army. The delegation is expected to push for a fortification of the ongoing ceasefire, which has been strained by ongoing fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese side is expected to present a paper outlining issues facing Lebanon's government in disarming Hezbollah, and challenges the army faces in carrying out its mission to secure the country. Israeli officials are expected to push for a joint security and military strategy aimed at tightening border control, including the establishment of a joint operations room — a proposal that would be contentious in Lebanon. …