![Billboards featuring the late former Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba Khamenei, who were killed in U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran on February 28, are displayed on the Rafic Hariri International Airport highway with the text reading "Thank you, loyal Iran" in Beirut, Lebanon on June 21, 2026. [Houssam Shbaro - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AA-20260621-41741438-41741437-BILLBOARDS_OF_LATE_IRANIAN_LEADERS_ALI_AND_MOJTABA_KHAMENEI_DISPLAYED_NEAR_BEIRUT_AIRPORT.jpg)
A senior US State Department official said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun about establishing a ceasefire and resuming talks in the future. The official said that following those discussions, the United States began operating a monitoring mechanism through the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to provide decision-makers in Washington with accurate and real-time information on the fighting in Lebanon. The official added that Israeli and Lebanese representatives will be in Washington for three days this week to continue discussions. The source did not specify whether the monitoring mechanism is separate from the deconfliction mechanism in Lebanon announced earlier by US Vice-President JD Vance. The disclosure […]
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