LBCI

New US Envoy to Lebanon: Balancing support for Israel and opportunities for negotiation with Iran

News Bulletin Reports

28-01-2025 | 13:55

Share

Share

New US Envoy to Lebanon: Balancing support for Israel and opportunities for negotiation with Iran

2^min

Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Mariella Succar

The successor to U.S. Envoy Amos Hochstein in Lebanon is an apparent supporter of Israel who adopts a tough stance against Iran.

However, Morgan Ortagus has also stated that Tehran can negotiate with President Donald Trump.

Trump selected Ortagus as deputy Middle East envoy to Steve Witkoff, citing her strong Republican backing, despite her criticism of him during the 2016 elections and her support for Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential race.

Born in 1982 in Florida, she converted to Judaism after marrying.

She studied political science at the University of Florida and holds a master’s degree in business administration.

She has held various positions in security, diplomacy, and economics, including serving as a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department during Donald Trump’s first term.

Ortagus is well-versed in Middle East affairs, having worked as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Treasury Department focusing on the region.

She also served in several countries, including Iraq, where she worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Saudi Arabia, where she was the deputy financial attaché at the U.S. Embassy.

Ortagus played a role in the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations.

As Trump stated upon appointing her, “Let’s see what happens”—particularly regarding the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel and other key issues.

News Bulletin Reports

World News

Middle East News

United States

Lebanon

Envoy

Donald Trump

Middle East

Israel

Next

Lebanon and Gaza on the table: US envoy in Israel ahead of Netanyahu's US visit

Mounting anger among north Israeli residents: Israel to maintain troops in Lebanon until mid-February

Previous

Recommended For You

Will Beirut's municipal elections break tradition? Here’s what we know

News Bulletin Reports

13:35

Will Beirut's municipal elections break tradition? Here’s what we know

Could a 'massive city' lie beneath Egypt’s pyramids? New findings raise questions

News Bulletin Reports

13:25

Could a 'massive city' lie beneath Egypt’s pyramids? New findings raise questions

Rocket attacks from Lebanon’s south—US wants answers: What’s the latest?

News Bulletin Reports

12:55

Rocket attacks from Lebanon’s south—US wants answers: What’s the latest?

US ramps up preparations for possible strike on Iran, deepens defense ties with Israel

News Bulletin Reports

12:53

US ramps up preparations for possible strike on Iran, deepens defense ties with Israel

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Fuel prices rise in Lebanon

Lebanon Economy

02:19

Fuel prices rise in Lebanon

Iran's president says 'not seeking nuclear weapons'

Middle East News

2025-02-06

Iran's president says 'not seeking nuclear weapons'

Yemen Houthis say one dead as more than 20 strikes hit rebel-held areas

Middle East News

04:12

Yemen Houthis say one dead as more than 20 strikes hit rebel-held areas

Lebanon’s Grand Jaafari Mufti declares March 31, 2025, as Eid al-Fitr Day

2025-03-30

Lebanon’s Grand Jaafari Mufti declares March 31, 2025, as Eid al-Fitr Day

Videos

LBCI's Pierre El Daher bids farewell to Hoda Chedid: You will always be our guiding light

2025-03-23

LBCI's Pierre El Daher bids farewell to Hoda Chedid: You will always be our guiding light

Israeli official urges international support for Lebanese government and army

Middle East News

2025-03-19

Israeli official urges international support for Lebanese government and army

Israeli aircraft fly at low altitude over Beirut during Hezbollah's former leaders funeral

2025-02-23

Israeli aircraft fly at low altitude over Beirut during Hezbollah's former leaders funeral

Coffins of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine enter Sports City Stadium (Video)

2025-02-23

Coffins of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine enter Sports City Stadium (Video)

Tens of thousands gather at Sports City Stadium for farewell to Hezbollah’s former leader Nasrallah (Video)

2025-02-23

Tens of thousands gather at Sports City Stadium for farewell to Hezbollah’s former leader Nasrallah (Video)

Ahmad Hariri to LBCI: Future Movement returns to political arena to participate in all upcoming political events

2025-02-14

Ahmad Hariri to LBCI: Future Movement returns to political arena to participate in all upcoming political events

Saad Hariri holds series of diplomatic and religious meetings in Beirut

2025-02-13

Saad Hariri holds series of diplomatic and religious meetings in Beirut

LBCI monitors removal of barriers and barbed wire in Downtown Beirut

2025-02-13

LBCI monitors removal of barriers and barbed wire in Downtown Beirut

Armed robbery in Beirut's Hamra turns deadly as shop owner shoots fleeing robbers (Video)

2025-02-10

Armed robbery in Beirut's Hamra turns deadly as shop owner shoots fleeing robbers (Video)

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Rocket attacks from Lebanon’s south—US wants answers: What’s the latest?

1

Rocket attacks from Lebanon’s south—US wants answers: What’s the latest?

Could a 'massive city' lie beneath Egypt’s pyramids? New findings raise questions

2

Could a 'massive city' lie beneath Egypt’s pyramids? New findings raise questions

Apple credits Lebanese researcher for uncovering major iOS security flaw

3

Apple credits Lebanese researcher for uncovering major iOS security flaw

Diplomatic pressure builds on Lebanon to set Hezbollah disarmament timeline, sources tell LBCI

4

Diplomatic pressure builds on Lebanon to set Hezbollah disarmament timeline, sources tell LBCI

Will Beirut's municipal elections break tradition? Here’s what we know

5

Will Beirut's municipal elections break tradition? Here’s what we know

Lebanon's $250 million war debris loan delayed pending Council for Development and Reconstruction appointments, sources tell LBCI

6

Lebanon's $250 million war debris loan delayed pending Council for Development and Reconstruction appointments, sources tell LBCI

Lebanon's finance minister submits draft decree on banking sector reform to Cabinet

7

Lebanon's finance minister submits draft decree on banking sector reform to Cabinet

Massive fire destroys Syrian refugee tents in southern Lebanon

8

Massive fire destroys Syrian refugee tents in southern Lebanon

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More