Can the US and Iran Reach a Breakthrough? Rising Lebanon Tensions Cast a Shadow

Washington: US President Donald Trump is confident that Washington and Tehran will soon reach an agreement on extending the ceasefire and resuming shipping through the important sea route of the Middle East. While talking to ABC News, Trump said that some big news may come by next week. But he also admitted that the MoU to open the Strait of Hormuz has not been approved yet. Trump said, "I still have to talk about some more points."

At what pace are the talks going on? 

On Monday, Trump said that talks with Iran are progressing rapidly. Recently there have been retaliatory attacks between the US and Iranian armies, increasing pressure on the fragile ceasefire. Nevertheless, Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran continue at a rapid pace." The ceasefire took place about two months ago. This agreement was reached after a week-long fight. But after the attacks on weekend and Monday, the fear has increased that diplomatic efforts will fail and the matter will get worse.

How is the Israel-Lebanon tension hindering the deal?

Seeing the increasing tension in the area, Trump spoke to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and representatives of Hezbollah. The objective was that Lebanon's instability should not spoil talks with Tehran.

Trump posted, "I had a very nice talk with Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu. No troops will go to Beirut. The troops that were on the way have also been withdrawn." Trump claims that Hezbollah has agreed to stop the attacks. According to Trump, "They have agreed that all firing will stop. Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."

Has Iran stopped peace talks? 

There were reports that Iran may stop talks with Washington. Trump rejected these speculations while talking to NBC News. Said that America has not received any formal notice from Tehran. "If he stops talking, that's OK," Trump said. Adding that Iran has not officially announced any such decision. Trump stressed that Washington's first choice is diplomacy. He said, "But they have not told us. This does not mean that we will start dropping bombs there."

How is the situation on the ground worsening? 

There is talk of diplomacy, but the situation on the ground is opposite. Over the weekend, Israel carried out its largest ground operation in Lebanon in 26 years. On Monday, Netanyahu ordered a new attack on Hezbollah areas in southern Beirut. Soon after, Tehran announced that it had stopped indirect talks with Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on it. It remains to be seen whether a deal is reached or the tension increases further.