President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations with Iran are “continuing” at a “rapid pace,” a reversal from earlier reports that Tehran had suspended communications with the United States after citing Israeli actions in Lebanon. Iran has not publicly confirmed whether talks have resumed.
Trump also said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and with representatives of Hezbollah, claiming all parties agreed to halt attacks on one another and that Israeli troops would not be sent to Beirut. “There will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back,” he wrote, and said Hezbollah agreed that “all shooting will stop.” Netanyahu had earlier called for strikes to resume in southern Beirut.
When asked on CNBC about Iran’s announcement that it was ceasing communications, Trump responded, “I really don’t care. I couldn’t care less,” and said he planned to ask Netanyahu “what’s going on with Lebanon.” He also told reporters that Iran had not informed the U.S. before saying it would suspend messaging and quipped that “they’re better negotiators than they are fighters.”
Trump indicated the U.S. would not resume direct hostilities but would maintain a blockade, saying the country would “go silent” on Iran rather than launch new military strikes.
Reporting for this account includes updates from ABC News reporters Emily Chang and Michelle Stoddart, with some details attributed to an NBC report.