Read, Watch or Listen

WASHINGTON / TEHRAN — Iran has suspended indirect talks with United States mediators, citing Israeli military operations in Lebanon as a breach of the ceasefire that paused the 2026 Iran war. Semi-official outlets Fars and Tasnim reported that Tehran halted the exchange of messages and negotiation texts through intermediaries several days ago and is keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed to commercial shipping. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US-Iran ceasefire covers all fronts, including Lebanon, and argued that Israeli air and ground operations there violate that understanding. A senior Iranian military officer told state media that a resumption of hostilities with the United States was “inevitable” if such violations continued, while the United Nations voiced “deep alarm” and urged all sides to avoid escalation and respect the cessation of hostilities. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump publicly downplayed the reported freeze, telling NBC News he was not aware Iran had cut off negotiations and later insisting on Truth Social that talks were continuing “at a rapid pace.” A regional source told CNN that contacts were back on track, though the situation remained volatile as Israel pressed its campaign in southern Lebanon and Iranian-backed Hezbollah continued to fight. On Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was still optimistic about formal nuclear talks and confirmed that a draft memorandum of understanding under discussion would extend the ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lift the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and launch structured negotiations over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and broader nuclear program.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.