Israel and Hezbollah agree ceasefire

(Patria) - Israel and the Lebanese pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire that began today at 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. our time), a senior US official confirmed to Reuters.

- Hezbollah and Israel have agreed a ceasefire. We believe that after today's exchange of fire, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire - said the official familiar with the developments.

He added that the agreement was reached by US and Qatari negotiators with the help of Iran.

This information comes after it was earlier reported that talks between the US and Iran, planned for today at the mountain resort of Burgenstock in Switzerland, will not take place, according to a statement from the Swiss Foreign Ministry.

The announcement followed a statement by a White House spokesperson last night that US Vice President JD Vance had canceled his planned trip to a meeting with Iranian negotiators in Switzerland today to begin talks on implementing the agreement reached between Tehran and Washington to end the war.

The Financial Times reported that the talks were postponed because Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on southern Lebanon, causing Iran not to send a delegation.

The interim agreement from Wednesday envisions a permanent cessation of hostilities, including conflicts and Israeli strikes on Hezbollah and targets - often civilian - in Lebanon, with Tehran insisting on the stance "no Lebanon, no deal."

A diplomat familiar with the negotiations revealed that the Iranians conveyed that they had pacified Hezbollah, while the US failed to restrain Israel. He added that Tehran does not intend to attend the meeting until it receives firm guarantees.