US President Donald Trump suggested June 16 that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa could deal with Hezbollah if Israel was unable to do so without causing heavy civilian casualties. The comment came in spite of repeated statements from Damascus ruling out any military intervention in neighboring Lebanon.
Speaking at the G7 summit in France, Trump praised Sharaa as doing "an amazing job" and said: "If Israel can’t do the job [against Hezbollah] without killing everyone else, then he will do the job. Syria will do the job."
But Trump's comments came days after President Ahmed al-Sharaa dismissed reports that Syria could become involved in the war in Lebanon as "mere rumors."
Sources in Damascus told Asharq Al-Awsat [13] that no official US request had been made for Syrian military intervention, and stressed that "entering the quagmire of war and sending military forces unilaterally is completely ruled out."
The sources said that while US envoy Tom Barrack [14] had previously urged Damascus to take a clear position against Hezbollah, discussion of deploying Syrian troops to Lebanon was "very, very early" and would only be considered in coordination with the Lebanese state.
Syria's Interior Ministry also emphasized that "Lebanon is a sovereign state and not a backyard, as the former regime viewed it." (Radio Free Syria [12])
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on June 14 welcomed [15] an announced peace deal between the United States and Iran, saying he is hopeful it represents a step toward permanently ending regional hostilities. Guterres indicated in a statement [16] that he is appreciative of the role countries such as Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt played in supporting the deal.
Trump posted [17] on social media June 14: "I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!"
While details of the memorandum of understanding [18] (MOU) have yet to be released, officials have confirmed [19] that the terms include an end to the conflict, removal of both US and Iran naval blockades, and a reopening of the strait within 30 days of signing. The ceasefire between the two countries will continue for a period of 60 days in which talks of a permanent end to the hostilities will occur. Also likely up for discussion within the 60 day period is the fate of Iran’s nuclear program, a prior sticking point in past negotiations.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the MOU will be signed June 19 in Switzerland. (Jurist [20])
