Iran suspends indirect talks with U.S., threatens to block Bab el-Mandeb Strait as Trump claims ceasefire progress

Diplomatic rupture

Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Monday that Tehran's negotiating team is stopping exchanges of messages with the United States through mediators due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. The announcement marks a sharp deterioration in diplomatic efforts to end the three-month-old war that began on February 28. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X that a violation on one front constitutes a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts, holding the U.S. and Israel responsible for any consequences.

Violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The U.S. and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai told a press conference in Tehran that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any agreement aimed at ending the war with the United States. Tasnim added that there will be no talks until Iran and the resistance's views on the cessation of Zionist regime operations in Gaza and Lebanon and a complete withdrawal from occupied areas in Lebanon are met.

Trump contradicts Tehran

President Donald Trump directly contradicted the Iranian announcement, stating he had received no information about a suspension of negotiations. In an interview with NBC News, he suggested silence from the Iranians was acceptable and that he was willing to wait. He also posted on Truth Social that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran are continuing at a rapid pace.

I think we've talked too much, if you want to know the truth. I think silence would be very good.

Trump emphasized that the suspension of contacts does not mean a resumption of large-scale military operations against Iran, saying the blockade is a piece of steel and that he can wait as long as they want. He also claimed a productive phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resulted in no troops being sent to Beirut, with any troops already en route turned back. Through high-level representatives, Trump said Hezbollah agreed to cease all exchanges of fire.

Maritime escalation threat

Tasnim reported that Iran and the Resistance Front, which includes Shiite allies in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq, have set an agenda to completely block the Strait of Hormuz and activate other fronts, including the Bab El Mandeb Strait, in order to punish Israel and its supporters. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that crossing red lines in Lebanon and Gaza is equivalent to direct war and that Iran is determined to carry out defensive operations and open new fronts.

The patience of the Iranian armed forces has its limits.

The Bab El Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a critical chokepoint for oil and goods transport between Europe, Asia, and Africa. If Houthi rebels in Yemen open a new front, the strait would be an obvious target. The war has already caused global economic pain by pushing up energy prices since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil markets react

News from Tehran drove oil prices sharply higher on Monday. Brent crude rose 6.6 percent to $97.14 per barrel, while U.S. WTI climbed 7.7 percent to $94.04, driven by fears of a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Fighting in Lebanon

Fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah members continued on Monday near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah describing it as a war of attrition against Israeli enemy forces. Israel Katz, the Israeli Defense Minister, warned there would be no quiet in Beirut without a halt to Hezbollah attacks on Israeli territory. Netanyahu and Katz ordered the IDF to strike terrorist targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. Flights at Beirut airport were suspended following the Israeli announcement of renewed attacks on the Lebanese capital.

There will be no quiet in Beirut without stopping Hezbollah's attacks on Israeli territory.

Confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah have been almost daily despite the April 17 ceasefire, which was never respected. The Israeli army has advanced deeper into southern Lebanon in recent days while continuing airstrikes, and Hezbollah has continued drone attacks on Israeli positions in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.