Israel and Lebanon have announced a renewed cease-fire and a commitment to work toward a “comprehensive” agreement. This joint statement was issued on Wednesday in collaboration with the United States.

The agreement could facilitate talks between the United States and Iran; however, the success of this cease-fire requires cooperation from Hezbollah. The Iran-supported Lebanese militant group has been engaged in conflict with Israel but is not part of Lebanon’s government nor involved in negotiations.

The statement highlighted that the cease-fire depends on a complete halt of Hezbollah activities and the retraction of its operatives from the South Litani Sector. This region, located in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border, has seen an Israeli military presence since Hezbollah reignited hostilities with Israel.

Conflict escalated after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel on March 1, following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. In response, Israel targeted Hezbollah positions in Beirut and expanded its military presence into southern Lebanon.

Negotiated through U.S. mediation, the agreement was confirmed by the U.S. State Department after meetings in Washington involving Israeli and Lebanese officials. It entails creating “pilot zones” where the Lebanese military would assume exclusive control, and all “nonstate actors” would be banned.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has complicated peace talks aimed at resolving the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. Iran demands Lebanon be included in any peace resolution. Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, expressed support for an agreement between Iran and the United States that incorporates a truce in Lebanon but opposed the bilateral talks between Israel and Lebanon.