Israeli foreign minister denies reports of Lebanon talks and interceptor shortages

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar explicitly denied on Sunday that Israel is preparing for direct talks with Lebanon. He also refuted reports claiming that Israel informed the United States of a critical shortage in ballistic missile interceptors. These claims had surfaced in reports by the Haaretz newspaper and Semafor, both citing unnamed sources. The minister made these statements while visiting a Bedouin Arab town in northern Israel that suffered damage from an Iranian missile strike last week. Saar emphasized that Israel and the United States maintain a unified stance regarding the 16-day conflict with Iran. He stated that both nations are committed to long-term objectives aimed at eliminating existential threats posed by Iran. The minister expressed a desire to avoid recurring military conflicts on a yearly basis. Currently, the operational status of Israeli interceptors and diplomatic engagement with Lebanon remains subject to conflicting media reports and official government denials.