De-escalation efforts are at a tipping point in , as mutual military attacks between and , escalation of Israeli operations in and public recriminations for ceasefire violations heighten uncertainty surrounding negotiations to end the war.
Tehran raises the tone
The speaker of the Iranian parliament and head of Tehran’s negotiating team in the talks with Washington, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the United States through X of undermining the process of exiting the crisis. Linking the US naval blockade to Israeli operations in Lebanon, he argued that the two developments constitute clear evidence of non-compliance with the agreements.
«Every choice has its price and the bill comes in the end. Everything will be arranged“, he wrote in a particularly stern tone.
At the same time, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated that any agreement with the United States to end the war in the Middle East presupposes the implementation of a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Accusations against US and Israel of ceasefire violations
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai accused both Israel and the US of violating existing ceasefire agreements.
«We insist that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a key condition for any agreement aimed at ending the war“, he said, adding that Tehran would not hesitate to receive “all necessary measures» to protect its national security.
Bagai also argued that , which has been in effect since April 8. According to the Iranian side, US forces launched a new wave of attacks against radar and drone control systems in southern Iran, the third such operation in less than a week.
New exchange of wounds
The US Central Middle East Command (CENTCOM) announced that the raids took place on the city of Goruk and the island of Qesm in the Strait of Hormuz in response to “aggressive Iranian actions”, including the downing of an American MQ-1 drone over international waters.
Shortly thereafter, the Revolutionary Guards announced that they had launched an attack on a base used by the US military for operations against Iran, without disclosing its location.
At the same time, the Kuwaiti army spoke of an attack with missiles and drones, while the country’s authorities attributed the responsibility to Tehran. The new conflicts further burden the already heavy atmosphere in the negotiations. Bagai argued that the delay in reaching an agreement was due to a lack of trust, Washington’s changing positions and developments in Lebanon.
«The other side is constantly changing its views and making new or contradictory demands. It is natural that this prolongs the negotiations“, he said, clarifying that Iran’s nuclear program is not the subject of discussion at this stage.
Trump’s new terms and the thorn
The report is linked to US media reports that US President Donald Trump has sent Tehran a revised deal proposal with tougher terms.
The New York Times spoke of a hardening of the American stance, while Axios reported that Washington is seeking stricter commitments from Iran, especially regarding its nuclear program.
CBS News reported that the new US proposal would extend the ceasefire for 60 days, open the Strait of Hormuz and set a framework for resuming nuclear negotiations.
Despite the difficulties, Donald Trump appeared optimistic, stating via Truth Social that “Iran really wants to make a deal” and that it will be “a good deal for the US and its allies».
The US president also argued that the proposed plan provides absolutely clearly that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons, under particularly strict conditions.
For his part, Ghalibaf conveyed that, while the Iranian leadership still considers the lifting of US sanctions and the release of frozen assets fundamental conditions for any settlement.
The Lebanese front
At the same time, the Lebanese front is developing into a decisive factor for the course of the talks. A few hours before Tehran’s statements, the Israeli leadership ordered strikes on the southern districts of Beirut, a stronghold of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah.
The Israeli army continued its advance into southern Lebanon and airstrikes, while Hezbollah continues to launch drone and missile attacks against targets in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
Israel also announced the capture of the medieval Beaufort Castle, a strategically important fortress that dominates southern Lebanon and offers control over the wider region. It is the first time Israeli forces have gained control of the castle since they withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000.
American initiative and UN emergency meeting
On the diplomatic front, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in touch with both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the past 48 hours, attempting to advance a new truce plan.
According to American sources, the proposal envisages as a first step the cessation of Hezbollah attacks against Israeli targets and the suspension of Israeli strikes in the Beirut area.
President Aoun reportedly welcomes the initiative, but Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that the priority must be to stop Israeli attacks.
Amidst this climate of rising tension, the UN Security Council is convening in an emergency later today, at the request of France, to consider the situation in Lebanon.
The meeting comes as the truce between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been in effect since April 17 in theory, is being tested by the day and an agreement that could lead to an end to the wider Middle East conflict looks more uncertain than ever.
