Trump Says Iran Talks Proceed Nicely As Deal To End War Includes Lebanon

President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were “proceeding nicely” as the United States and Iran appeared to be closing in on a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, with Lebanon a central dispute in the ceasefire terms.

“The Middle East and the world are entering decisive hours as a formal announcement is expected regarding a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran that would officially end the war in the region and on all fronts, including Lebanon, following persistent Pakistani and Qatari efforts to bring the two sides closer”

An-Nahar

The PBS report said an end to the war would include Lebanon, where the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group has been fighting Israel since two days into the war, and it noted that a fragile ceasefire has held since April 7.

An-Nahar

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem expressed hope that an agreement between Iran and the United States would include Lebanon, telling viewers on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television channel, “God willing, this agreement will be finalized and there are signs of its completion.”

Qassem also said the agreement would mean “a full cessation of hostilities,” while the PBS account described the U.S. position that it wants Israel to have a free hand to respond to what it views as threats in Lebanon and that Iran rejects it.

CNN said the intensified and devastating Israeli bombing of Hezbollah and disagreements over whether Lebanon is included in the truce could derail the talks, with the fragile two-week ceasefire paving the way for negotiations in Islamabad.

CNN reported that Israel launched the largest wave of airstrikes in Lebanon since the war began, striking densely populated neighborhoods without prior warning, killing at least 303 people and injuring more than 1,000 according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health.

Asharq Al-Awsat English

In the same CNN account, Vance said there was a “serious misunderstanding” about including Lebanon in the ceasefire, adding that the Israelis may “reassess somewhat” their ongoing strikes.

BBC reported that US Vice President J. D. Vance said Iranian negotiators believed the ceasefire agreement included Lebanon, while the United States did not, and it quoted him saying, “I think this stems from a misunderstanding.”

The PBS account tied the emerging agreement to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing regional concerns, but it also framed Lebanon as part of the war’s “all fronts” scope that Tehran has insisted must be addressed in any deal.

“What are the ten points Iran has put forward, and will the United States agree to them”

BBC

Naim Qassem told Lebanese authorities that “Direct negotiations are completely unacceptable and are a pure gain for Israel,” and he charged that Washington “is not an honest broker,” while also saying disarmament would mean “annihilation” and that “We will not bow, even if the whole world turns against us.”

In parallel, CNN described the central question as whether talks will yield a compromise or collapse and reignite a war that has caused widespread destruction across parts of the Middle East, with Lebanon’s inclusion remaining contentious.

BBC added that Anwar Gargash said “many details are not entirely clear” and that “There are conflicting statements coming from Iran, from Washington, and from the Pakistani mediator,” leaving Lebanon’s role in any ceasefire outcome unresolved as negotiations approach.