**Aoun has repeatedly ruled out any direct contact with Netanyahu until Israeli strikes and territorial violations cease and the June 2026 U.S.-brokered framework advances, including troop withdrawals from pilot zones in southern Lebanon and Lebanese army control.** The agreement, signed after ambassador-level talks in Washington, links gradual IDF redeployment to Hezbollah disarmament and aims to restore Lebanese sovereignty, but implementation has been incremental with Israel retaining a security zone. Aoun, who met Trump in July to press for full withdrawal and U.S. support for the Lebanese army, has stated he would leave any shared venue and views a leader-level call or meeting as premature without those preconditions. U.S. officials have continued to advocate direct engagement to accelerate peace talks, yet Aoun’s position remains unchanged amid ongoing Hezbollah opposition and limited progress on the ground. Lower-level diplomatic channels continue under the trilateral coordination group, but high-level contact hinges on verifiable de-escalation and withdrawal milestones.