Trump claims diplomatic success as Netanyahu halts Beirut troop deployment
Amidst escalating regional tensions, the White House reports a fragile de-escalation agreement, even as Israeli strikes resume and Tehran warns of broader conflict.
US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he had successfully persuaded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from deploying troops into southern Beirut. The announcement followed a telephone conversation between the two leaders, during which Netanyahu agreed to halt the military advance and Hezbollah pledged to cease attacks. Trump described the call as "very productive" and confirmed on his Truth Social platform that any troops already en route had been turned back.
The diplomatic engagement occurred against a backdrop of heightened regional instability. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened to open new military fronts and maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israel’s ongoing offensive in Lebanon. Concurrently, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for Beirut’s southern suburbs and resumed strikes, prompting chaotic scenes as residents fled areas they had only recently returned to following a fragile April ceasefire.
Iran has suspended indirect dialogue with the United States regarding a nuclear deal, citing violations of the broader ceasefire agreement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Israeli strikes in Lebanon jeopardise the truce, which Tehran considers to be a comprehensive agreement across all fronts. The suspension of talks comes as the probability of the ceasefire between Iran and the US ending is deemed high by Iranian state media.
Despite the suspension of negotiations, Trump dismissed the development, stating in interviews with CNBC and NBC News that he did not care if the talks were over. He suggested that a period of silence from both sides would be beneficial and indicated that the US would maintain a blockade rather than escalate military operations. The President noted that Iran was "losing a fortune" and that he was willing to wait for a resolution.
European and regional actors remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation. The European Union urged Israel to halt its military operation in Lebanon after Israeli forces seized the strategic Beaufort Castle. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron commended Trump’s efforts to secure a peace deal with Iran and offered support for securing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, while emphasising the need for a robust ceasefire in Lebanon.
