Iran has halted indirect negotiations with the United States following Israel’s directive for its troops to advance further into Lebanon to confront Hezbollah, a group supported by Tehran. This development, reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim on Monday, further complicates diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the three-month-long conflict.
According to Tasnim, the Islamic Republic’s negotiating team has ceased exchanging messages with Washington via mediators. This decision comes in response to ongoing attacks on Lebanon, where the broader U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran is seen as reigniting Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah.
This suspension presents an additional hurdle to prospects for a rapid resolution of the crisis. It follows Iran’s claim of attacking a U.S. air base, which came after weekend U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets, further straining an already fragile ceasefire.
Following the Tasnim report, global oil prices saw a significant increase, rising by over $5 a barrel.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had expressed on social media his belief that Tehran was interested in reaching a deal. However, optimism for a breakthrough was tempered by remarks from Iranian officials who criticized the “constantly changing” U.S. negotiating position.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also highlighted the situation in Lebanon, where another ceasefire is currently in effect, as a significant impediment. He stated, “Violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The U.S. and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” in a post on X.
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