Trump Says a Peace Deal Could Come Within a Week, but Will Netanyahu Spoil It?

Lebanon has emerged as a stumbling block in ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump said he was optimistic that a memorandum of understanding on ending the war would be signed within a week, but Iran is pressing for an additional condition: that Israel halt its military operations in Lebanon.
The two sides have made considerable progress on extending the ceasefire and restoring normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, disagreements over Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the Lebanon front are slowing the talks. In particular, the negotiations are being shaken by Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to back away from attacks on Lebanon.
On the 1st local time, Trump told ABC News that a peace MOU could be finalized, saying, "We will be talking about that within the next week." The two countries are discussing a draft that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days and guarantee free passage for civilian ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States is sticking to its core demand that Iran abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons and allow the U.S.-led removal of highly enriched uranium. Iran, meanwhile, is demanding sanctions relief and an end to military conflict in the region.
The biggest obstacles are the handling of highly enriched nuclear material and the Lebanon front. On the same day, Tasnim News Agency reported that "the Iranian negotiating team has stopped exchanging messages with the United States, viewing Israel's attacks on Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire." Iran has also said it may end the ceasefire with the United States if the attacks on Lebanon continue.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on X that "the United States and Israel must bear full responsibility."
Tasnim also reported that Iran and pro-Iranian forces discussed ways to block not only the Strait of Hormuz but also the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the entrance to the Red Sea.
As signs emerged that the momentum in the talks was weakening, Trump stepped in directly to mediate between Israel and Hezbollah.
He wrote on Truth Social that he had "a very productive call with Prime Minister Netanyahu" and that "troops heading toward Beirut have been withdrawn, and there will be no further advance." He also said, "We had a very good conversation with Hezbollah through senior representatives," adding that "they agreed to stop all firing." His intervention reflects concern that Israel's offensive in Lebanon could derail the peace talks.
According to Axios, Trump angrily asked Netanyahu during a call on the 28th of last month, "What the hell are you doing?" He reportedly scolded Netanyahu sharply, saying, "If it weren't for me, you would be in jail."
Netanyahu, however, issued a statement saying, "If Hezbollah does not stop attacking, we will strike terrorist targets in Beirut," and "we will proceed with operations in southern Lebanon as planned." Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Lebanon in April, but resumed its offensive in southern Lebanon in May, saying it was acting to drive out Hezbollah.


km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter