Iran talks continue, indirect contact with Hezbollah amid Lebanon-Israel tensions: Trump

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday said that diplomatic contacts with Iran are continuing “at a rapid pace,” while saying that Washington could also pause active negotiations if needed and “go silent” for a period.

In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump said he remains open to dialogue with Iran, but indicated that he does not see urgency in maintaining constant communication. He added that Iran was “better negotiators than fighters,” while stressing he had not been informed of any formal suspension of talks.

President Trump also said that he had spoken indirectly with the Iran-aligned Lebanese group Hezbollah through intermediaries, saying the group had agreed not to launch attacks on Israel. He said that he had communicated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and that Israel had agreed to pull back troops that were preparing for operations in southern Lebanon.

According to the president, “no troops going to Beirut” and any forces already moving had been turned back. He also claimed that through “highly placed representatives,” Hezbollah agreed that “all shooting will stop.”

However, there has been no independent confirmation of direct outcomes from such contacts. Hezbollah is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and has never previously been acknowledged in official US communications.

Meanwhile, regional tensions remain high amid the ongoing conflict spillover in Lebanon. Lebanese political sources cited by Reuters said Hezbollah had conveyed, through Speaker Nabih Berri, that it was willing to halt attacks on northern Israel if Israeli strikes on Beirut and surrounding areas were stopped.

The fighting has displaced more than 1.2 million people in Lebanon since March, with Israeli forces and Hezbollah continuing cross-border hostilities. Israeli troops recently seized strategic positions in southern Lebanon, including the Beaufort Castle area, further escalating the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office has accused Hezbollah of repeated ceasefire violations, while continued strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs have triggered fresh waves of displacement.

On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that violations on any front undermine ceasefire efforts, blaming both the US and Israel for escalating tensions.

For immediate attention:

The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts.

The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 1, 2026

Earlier reports from Iranian state media said that indirect talks between Tehran and Washington could be paused due to the worsening situation in Lebanon, although US officials said they had not received confirmation of any withdrawal from negotiations.

Oil markets reacted sharply to the uncertainty, with prices rising after reports of a possible halt in Iran-US dialogue.

Overall, while Trump projects continued diplomatic engagement and possible backchannel breakthroughs, the situation on the ground in Lebanon and the wider region remains volatile, with ceasefire arrangements under increasing strain.