A US plan to facilitate an Israeli military withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon is facing significant obstacles due to a lack of cooperation from both Israel and Lebanon. Senator Marco Rubio has confirmed the US is leveraging talks between Israel and Lebanon to achieve this pullback. However, both Jerusalem and Beirut are reportedly frustrated with former President Trump’s approach, hindering the plan’s progress. The core issue appears to be a US agreement that would grant Iran increased influence within Lebanon, a concession unacceptable to both Israel and Lebanon. This deal, intended to incentivize the Israeli withdrawal, has instead created resistance. Consequently, the proposed phased withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is currently stalled, with no clear path forward. The situation highlights complex regional dynamics and the challenges of brokering agreements involving multiple actors with competing interests.