U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel and Hezbollah, the pro-Iran armed faction in Lebanon, have agreed to halt their fighting. The announcement came as Trump moved to contain the fallout after Iran said it would suspend ceasefire talks with Washington over Israel's strikes on Lebanon. Trump said dialogue with Iran was progressing rapidly, but sharp messages from both Israel and Iran left the ceasefire negotiations on thin ice.
"Just had a very productive call with Bibi Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday. "There will be no troops going into Beirut. Troops currently moving have already been turned around." He added, "Likewise, we had a very good talk with Hezbollah, through our top representatives. They have agreed to stop all firing." Trump emphasized, "Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."
Israeli outlet Y-net also reported that the Israeli military postponed an airstrike on Beirut at the request of the United States. Axios reported that Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally and political power broker, told the U.S. side a day earlier that he was prepared for a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire with Israel and would guarantee it.
Trump's message followed Iran's earlier declaration that it would suspend ceasefire negotiations. Iran's semi-official Tasnim reported that Tehran had decided to halt talks with Washington, citing Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon. Shortly after announcing the cessation of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Trump asserted on Truth Social that "talks with Iran are continuing at a rapid pace." In a phone interview with NBC, Trump also said Iran "did not notify us of that," referring to the suspension of dialogue, and added that even if talks broke down, "it doesn't mean we are going to go in and start dropping bombs."
Sharp comments, however, continued to emerge from Israel and Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, "I spoke with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not stop its attacks on our cities and citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut." He added, "Our position is unchanged. The Israel Defense Forces will continue to carry out operations in southern Lebanon as planned."
In contrast, Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, warned on X, "The Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's management. We will not tolerate the continuation of the (U.S.) naval blockade, nor will we tolerate the escalation of tensions in Lebanon. Our military's patience also has its limits."
International oil prices surged. Brent crude futures for August delivery closed up 4.2% at $94.98 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for July delivery also ended 5.5% higher at $92.16. WTI rose as much as 7.8% during the session but trimmed gains after Trump claimed that negotiations with Iran were proceeding at a rapid pace.
