Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has repeatedly ruled out direct talks or meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Israeli strikes and territorial control continue in southern Lebanon, stating he would leave any shared space. Aoun has instead prioritized U.S.-mediated indirect negotiations toward a security agreement focused on border stabilization, Lebanese army deployment, and eventual Hezbollah disarmament under state control, describing this as a necessary step short of a full peace deal. Recent rounds of talks have stalled, with a planned Rome session delayed until October amid ongoing IDF operations. Aoun is currently in Paris seeking international backing to replace the expiring UNIFIL mandate and strengthen Lebanese forces. These positions reflect entrenched procedural and security barriers that traders weigh against any potential diplomatic signals from the U.S. or regional actors.