Expert: Then Israel can stop bombing Lebanon
US Vice President JD Vance, Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are on site for talks in Zurich. Photo: Nathan Howard /AP/TT
A lasting peace between the US and Iran could become a reality when talks begin in Zurich today.
But then Israel must stop bombing Lebanon.
- The US has a huge amount of leverage over Israel, says expert Alexander Atarodi.
The first point of the memorandum of understanding that Iran and the United States have signed ahead of the negotiations states that military operations will cease on all fronts – including in Lebanon.
Despite this, Israeli attacks on the country continue. One of the most important issues during the peace talks will be Lebanon, according to US Vice President JD Vance, who landed in Zurich on Sunday morning.
But an end to Israel's attacks has proven difficult to achieve.
In March, Israel entered southern Lebanon with ground troops. Parts of the area have been occupied and over 4,000 people have been killed since then. On Friday night alone, Lebanon was bombed by Israel 150 times.
US patience tested
This has led more and more countries in the Western world to turn against Israel. Now it is obvious that even the country's most important allies have grown tired, according to Middle East expert Alexander Atarodi.
He highlights JD Vance's comments a few days ago as an example of something that has changed.
The US is the only ally that Israel has left - therefore Israel's leaders must "wake up and realize reality", he said at a press conference.
- These are remarkably harsh formulations towards Israel that I have not seen in decades from such a high-ranking politician, says Alexander Atarodi.
Pressure is needed
In order for an end to the Israeli attacks to become a reality, and thus a peace agreement between the US and Iran, further pressure is needed from the American side, he notes.
And there are plenty of means of pressure. Nearly 70 percent of Israel's arms imports come from the United States. Israel also receives annual subsidies from the United States, through a ten-year agreement that expires in 2028.
- The United States can in principle strangle Israel's military actions or operations in the entire region, including Lebanon, at least in the longer term.
Another aspect is political. The United States is the country that has supported Israel in the UN Security Council year after year. All resolutions that the Security Council has put forward to condemn Israel's actions have been blocked by the United States.
- If Israel were not to listen to the national interests of the United States, which is the case now, then it is not entirely inconceivable that such a resolution would seep through. That would be devastating for Israel and Netanyahu, says Alexander Atarodi.
How likely is it that the United States will use the means of pressure it has?
- I think that Israel is very aware of how dependent the country is on the United States. Therefore, the US does not need to carry out its threat, it is enough to mention it.
– That signal reaches the Israeli media: There is a risk that the US, the only country that supports Israel, will abandon the country a little more.
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