Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
Following the first of three days of talks between Jerusalem and Beirut, Magid discusses the sharp critique issued by Israel's US Ambassador Yechiel Leiter regarding the connection being made between the Lebanon track and the US-Iran deal, and the notion that Iran is being allowed to demand a ceasefire in a separate country.
There is a battle of narratives in US President Donald Trump's administration over the US-Iran deal, notes Magid, extending into the Israel-Lebanon talks. US Vice President JD Vance, who is currently leading the US-Iran talks, supports having Hezbollah as part of the conversation regarding deconfliction in Lebanon and views it as the only way forward for the embattled country, reports Magid.
It appears that Secretary of State Marc Rubio, currently on a regional tour in the United Arab Emirates, isn't as supportive of the terms of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, says Magid -- or of Iranian influence in Lebanon -- and is keeping some distance, perhaps to protect his place as a possible Republican Party candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
Finally, Magid discusses Gaza's Board of Peace, as various members head to Cyprus for a retreat to figure out how to move forward while insisting that it will take time to make headway on Hamas disarmament and Gaza reconstruction.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
‘A train wreck’: As Jerusalem and Beirut hold talks, Israeli envoy pans linkage to US-Iran deal
Rubio: Iran will not be allowed to charge tolls in Strait of Hormuz under any final deal
Board of Peace members to ‘recalibrate’ at Cyprus resort after rocky first six months
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing podcast (ToI/Israeli Embassy)
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