Trump announces Israel-Hezbollah de-escalation as Iran threatens to halt talks and block Strait of Hormuz

Trump announces Israel-Hezbollah de-escalation

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he had reached an agreement to stop fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. Trump described a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "very productive" and said he had also spoken with senior Hezbollah representatives through intermediaries. According to Trump, no Israeli troops would enter Beirut, and forces already en route had been ordered back. Hezbollah had agreed that "all shooting will stop — that Israel will not attack them and they will not attack Israel," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

All shooting will stop — that Israel will not attack them and they will not attack Israel.

The office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that Hezbollah had agreed to the US proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks. According to Aoun's office, the ceasefire would initially apply to the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, and would later be extended to all Lebanese territory. The Lebanese government itself is not a party to the conflict.

Netanyahu's response and ongoing hostilities

Despite Trump's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement that made no mention of a new ceasefire. Netanyahu appeared to step back from earlier threats to strike Hezbollah in Beirut's southern suburbs, but warned that Israel would again attack "terror targets" in Beirut if Hezbollah did not halt its attacks on Israeli cities. He said he had communicated this position to Trump and that Israel's military would continue its operations in southern Lebanon as planned.

If Hezbollah does not stop its attacks on Israeli cities, Israel will again attack terror targets in Beirut.

Hours after Trump's announcement, the Israeli military reported intercepting two projectiles aimed at northern Israel on Tuesday morning. Lebanese media also reported new Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. According to AP, the recent fighting in Lebanon has killed 3,433 people and displaced more than one million.

Iran threatens to halt negotiations

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf threatened to suspend indirect negotiations with the United States over the Iran war, citing the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Writing on X after a conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri, Ghalibaf said that if "the Israeli aggression against Lebanon" continues, Iran would "not only stop the negotiation path, but also enter into a direct confrontation with the enemy."

If the Israeli aggression against Lebanon continues, we will not only stop the negotiation path, but also enter into a direct confrontation with the enemy.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran wanted to suspend the indirect talks with Washington in protest against the Israeli offensive in Lebanon, and also threatened a complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi had earlier stated on X that a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran would include a "ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon."

Trump optimistic on Iran deal timeline

Trump told ABC News in a telephone interview that he believed an agreement with Iran could be reached "next week" on extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He added that some points still needed to be clarified and that he had not yet approved the deal. On Truth Social, Trump said talks with Iran were continuing at a "rapid pace." Several sources noted that Trump has previously announced optimistic timelines that were quickly overtaken by events. Just over the weekend, the US and Iran had exchanged military strikes despite the existing truce.

I think we can reach an agreement with Iran next week on extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The Lebanon conflict as a sticking point

Multiple sources identified the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah as a critical obstacle in negotiations for a lasting agreement to end the US war against Iran. Iran is demanding a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon as part of any final deal, alongside the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad and maintaining de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli Iran expert Danny Citrinowicz warned on X that the longer Washington and Tehran fail to reach an agreement, the more factors like the struggle over the Strait of Hormuz and the Lebanon conflict could influence events.

It was always clear that the current course without an agreement would ultimately lead to an escalation.

Trump-Netanyahu phone call tensions

Axios reported, citing two US officials and a third source familiar with the conversation, that Trump sharply criticized Netanyahu in a phone call on Monday over Israel's escalation in Lebanon. Trump reportedly called his ally "crazy" and accused him of ingratitude. The report did not include an official confirmation from either side. Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to hold further talks in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday and Wednesday, though the Lebanese government is not directly involved in the conflict and Hezbollah itself rejects negotiations with Israel.

Brent crude oil prices fell back after Trump's announcement, settling around $95 per barrel according to Bloomberg, following an earlier spike.