The fifth round of U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel appeared to make only limited progress this week, as disagreements over Israeli troop withdrawals from southern Lebanon and growing frustration over the linkage between the Lebanese front and U.S.-Iran negotiations complicated discussions.

The three-day negotiations, held at the U.S. State Department in Washington and concluding Thursday, were marked by a notably tense atmosphere, Annahar cited diplomatic and political sources as saying.

While few details have emerged publicly, participants acknowledged that the talks were burdened not only by longstanding disputes between Beirut and Tel Aviv but also by the broader regional implications of the recent U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding reached in Switzerland.

The agreement, which incorporated a ceasefire mechanism related to Lebanon, has reportedly generated unease on both sides of the negotiating table.

According to The Times of Israel, citing a government official and another source familiar with the talks, both Israel and Lebanon opposed Washington's decision to include the Lebanese ceasefire file within the broader U.S.-Iran framework. The two sides argued that such a move undermines the purpose of the direct negotiation channel established by the United States in April, which was intended to address security issues between Lebanon and Israel independently of Iranian influence.

The development appears to have had a direct impact on the negotiations.

Israeli officials have become less willing to accommodate U.S. requests for a phased military withdrawal from southern Lebanon, partly in response to Washington's handling of the issue, according to one source.

At the same time, Lebanese officials have sought to adopt a firmer negotiating position to counter perceptions that Iran exerts greater influence over developments in Lebanon than the Lebanese state itself.

That dynamic contributed to a harder Israeli stance regarding conditions for a gradual withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the proposed establishment of pilot zones, while the Lebanese delegation remained committed to positions approved in Beirut.

Observers were also surprised when members of the Lebanese military delegation reportedly withdrew from Tuesday's session after declining to participate in an official group photograph with the other delegations, leaving the diplomatic delegation to continue discussions alone.

Ahead of Wednesday's second session, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa acknowledged difficulties in the talks.

"There was a setback yesterday between the Lebanese and Israeli delegations, but we hope it will be resolved today," Issa said.

The second day of negotiations focused primarily on military arrangements, including the deployment of the Lebanese Army south of the Litani River, the transfer of areas vacated by Israeli forces to Lebanese military control, and mechanisms to verify that weapons in those areas remain exclusively under state authority.

Sources at Lebanon's presidential palace said Ambassador Simon Karam led the Lebanese delegation, with military representatives participating in the discussions.

The sources reported some progress regarding the pilot-zone proposal, saying Israel had shown willingness in principle to allow the Lebanese Army to deploy in certain areas currently occupied by Israeli forces as a preliminary step toward a future withdrawal.

Lebanon, however, is seeking agreement on the designation of the first pilot zone and insists on a clearly defined sequence for implementation, even if no fixed timetable is attached.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Beirut has also submitted maps outlining proposed Israeli withdrawals that are considerably broader than what Israel is currently prepared to accept.

Israeli officials remain constrained by domestic political pressures facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, the sources said.

The United States had hoped the Washington meetings would conclude with the announcement of a pilot program under which Israeli troops would withdraw from limited sections of southern Lebanon and be replaced by Lebanese Army units tasked with dismantling any remaining Hezbollah infrastructure in those areas.

However, diplomats and officials involved in the discussions now view such an outcome as increasingly unlikely.

Attention has instead shifted to a proposed "declaration of intent" that is expected to be discussed during Thursday's final diplomatic session.

Lebanon has already received a draft version of the document, which was reviewed by officials at Baabda Palace. Lebanese authorities submitted a number of amendments aimed at strengthening the country's position before any final endorsement.

U.S. mediators are working to secure approval of the declaration as a framework for expanding future negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv, even as significant differences remain unresolved.

The current round of talks is widely viewed by participants as the least productive since the launch of the negotiation process earlier this year, underscoring the challenges facing efforts to stabilize the border and advance a broader political understanding between the two countries.