Former US President Donald Trump has claimed he urged Israel to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah, following a surge in hostilities in Lebanon that raised fears of a wider regional conflict. Trump indicated that he advised Israeli officials to exercise restraint, arguing that continued fighting could jeopardize broader diplomatic initiatives involving Iran.
“You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head,” Trump reportedly told NBC News, declining to specify if he spoke directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ceasefire, brokered by American and Qatari negotiators with Iranian assistance, reportedly took effect around 4 pm local time in Lebanon after an exchange of fire. While the truce eased immediate fears of a full-scale regional war, Israeli forces are said to remain deployed in southern Lebanon.
Impact on US-Iran Diplomacy
The escalation of violence in Lebanon also led to the postponement of planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland. These discussions were considered vital for advancing negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Under an interim agreement signed recently, Washington and Tehran had allotted 60 days to negotiate a comprehensive settlement covering nuclear activities, sanctions relief, and regional security.
Iran's Stance on Negotiations
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah stated that Iran had made it clear that further negotiations depended on a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that the United States would be responsible for upholding commitments under any agreement.
Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, expressed skepticism on social media, asserting that the US's failure to adhere to initial clauses of the memorandum of understanding demonstrated a lack of will to earn Iranian trust. He warned that continued non-adherence would incur significant costs, beginning with a “smart and deterrent response.”
“The United States' failure to adhere to the first clause of the memorandum of understanding demonstrates that it lacks the will to earn the trust of the Iranian people,” Azizi posted on X, adding, “The continuation of this situation will cost them dearly.”
Trump also defended the interim accord with Iran against criticism from some Republican allies. He posted online that “The War has diminished Iran!” and that they were “FINISHED!” He also stated, “We'll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!”