Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has repeatedly stated that any direct contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains premature until a security agreement is reached and Israeli operations in southern Lebanon cease, a position reinforced in early May 2026 amid ongoing violations of the April ceasefire. Bilateral envoy talks continue in Washington, with a third preparatory round expected soon, while U.S. officials have pressed for a high-level meeting to advance a broader peace framework. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has echoed the need for thorough preparation and a clear withdrawal timeline before leader-level engagement. These conditions, combined with domestic political sensitivities in Lebanon and the fragile ceasefire, shape trader assessments of near-term contact between the two leaders.