President Donald Trump said Monday that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to halt hostilities after a series of diplomatic contacts, a claim that emerged just hours after Iran-linked media reported the suspension of U.S.-Iran negotiations and warned of broader regional escalation.
The announcement came during a volatile day in the Middle East, where concerns had been mounting over a potential expansion of fighting in Lebanon, the future of U.S.-Iran diplomacy, and the security of critical global shipping routes.
In a post on social media, Trump said he personally intervened with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and communicated with Hezbollah through intermediaries to prevent a further deterioration of the situation.
"I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back," Trump wrote.
He added: "Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop - That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."
The statement marked a dramatic shift from earlier developments in the day, when regional tensions appeared to be moving in the opposite direction. Iranian media outlets had reported that Tehran was halting talks with Washington over Israel's military actions in Lebanon and considering additional measures through allied groups across the region.
Tasnim news agency reported that Iran and members of the "Resistance Front," including partners in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, were prepared to increase pressure on Israel and its allies. The report also suggested discussions about disrupting traffic through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors.
The diplomatic standoff was compounded by Trump's earlier comments to NBC News, where he said Iran had not officially informed Washington that negotiations were being suspended.
"I think it's fine if they're done talking," Trump said.
"It's an appropriate thing to say, because they're better negotiators than they are fighters," he added.
The president also indicated that the United States would continue enforcing its maritime pressure campaign against Tehran.
"If they don't want to talk, that's okay with me. I think it's fine. I don't particularly want to talk either. We talk too much," Trump said.
Despite the tough rhetoric toward Iran, Trump's later statement suggested Washington was simultaneously working to prevent a wider confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah. According to Israeli broadcaster Kan News, Israel had been preparing a significant strike against Beirut's southern suburbs, an area widely regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold, before the operation was reportedly canceled following Trump's conversation with Netanyahu.
