Rubio steers Israel-Lebanon talks as Iran tensions persist

It’s Tuesday. Happy Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s!! 🍦 This is another great excuse for me to reference The Atlantic reporting on how eating ice cream may actually be good for you. I’ve heard all I need to hear. 😉

Rubio hosts Israel-Lebanon talks in DC

Rubio hosts Israel-Lebanon talks in DC

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🪖 NEW DEVELOPMENTS WITH IRAN

Rubio will take a stab at negotiations:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington today to solidify a ceasefire in Iran.

Why Israel and Lebanon?: Israel, which teamed up with the U.S. to ignite the war with Iran, also launched a military attack inside Lebanon, killing at least 2,000 people, including women and children.

In fact, Israel’s Lebanon attack was a major point of contention in the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire.

This is a big deal: Today’s talks will be the first between Israel and Lebanon since 1993 (!), an official told The Associated Press. And they were authorized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Keep in mind about the conflict: The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran could push more than 30 million people across the world into poverty, according to new projections from the United Nations.

💬 Follow today’s live blog

➤ THE LATEST WITH THE BLOCKADE:

A Chinese tanker tested the U.S.’s new blockade by traveling through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. This tanker has been sanctioned by the U.S.

For what it’s worth: An ex-national security adviser for former President Biden argues the U.S. military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz “might be helpful” in getting Iran to negotiate.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said on MS NOW: “I think as a potential diplomatic tactic it might be helpful. What this could do . . . is encourage the Chinese to be more helpful with Iran and get them back to the negotiating table because China certainly is dependent upon oil coming in and out of the Gulf.”

➤ GOP SENATORS GROW UNCOMFORTABLE WITH TRUMP’S RHETORIC AND IRAN ENDGAME:

“Senate Republicans facing worsening polls want President Trump to rein in his extreme rhetoric, which included an attack on Pope Leo XIV for being “WEAK........

© The Hill