Lebanon and Israel are set to hold the first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group that has rocked the tiny Mediterranean country.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the talks a "historic opportunity" but made it clear that no immediate breakthrough agreement was anticipated

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Iran’s leaders to “choose wisely” and said a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would continue “as long as it takes.”