Ongoing clashes between Israel and the Hezbollah militia are hindering efforts to conclude the conflict, with Iran stating that hostilities in the region must cease before any diplomatic agreement with the United States can proceed. Hezbollah turned down the ceasefire proposal on Thursday, and airstrikes were reported in southern Lebanon on Friday, while the proximity of Washington and Tehran to an agreement on restoring their truce and reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain.
On Wednesday, the foreign minister from Iran indicated that progress in the discussions had not been substantial, while U.S. officials maintain the ceasefire arrangement remains in effect notwithstanding recent confrontations. The president indicated that military casualties inflicted by Iran might justify resuming hostilities.
The House voted down a measure on Thursday introduced by Representative Rashida Tlaib that would have limited presidential authority in Lebanon, following opposition from Democratic leadership. The measure, put forward by Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, calls for withdrawing U.S. military personnel from Lebanon within a week of its passage. The measure was defeated 92-324 with two present votes, after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar indicated before the vote that no U.S. servicemembers are currently engaged in combat or hostile actions in Lebanon.
Representatives from the Democratic Party stated that a revised war powers measure, put forward on Wednesday by Tlaib, represented the most effective legislative approach for preventing deployment of American forces to Lebanon, and they indicated plans to collaborate with her to gather broader support for the proposal. The revised measure received backing from Representative Gregory Meeks, a New York Democrat who serves as ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has championed efforts in Congress to limit presidential war powers without legislative approval.
In an interview with Al Mayadeen, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the conflict ultimately strengthened the country's position, acknowledging losses while emphasising strategic gains according to the outlet's translation. Araghchi said Tehran's response to initial strikes by Washington and Tel Aviv in late February surprised many observers, with few expecting the capacity to endure pressure for 40 days or facilitate ceasefire negotiations, while the president informed reporters Thursday that military stockpiles have been reduced considerably, though some weapons remain available.
Mr. Trump stated that should Iran kill American troops, he would view this as sufficient justification to resume hostilities, though the administration characterizes the current situation as a ceasefire notwithstanding recent exchanges of missile fire between Iran and American forces, adding that such an event would prompt him to act swiftly.
President Trump indicated on Thursday that he had weighed the option of deploying military forces to extract Iran's highly enriched uranium reserves during earlier conflict, though he ultimately opted against such action and expressed doubt about pursuing this approach if Tehran declines to relinquish its stockpile voluntarily. The enrichment of uranium to levels approaching weapons-grade remains a central negotiating obstacle between Iran and the United States, with the administration seeking Tehran's agreement to remove such material as part of any comprehensive arrangement.
When a reporter inquired whether he had contemplated deploying special operations forces to retrieve the uranium, the president answered affirmatively but noted he wished to avoid repeating an unsuccessful hostage rescue operation from the late 1970s. The president stated that his government had weighed a covert mission to seize Iranian uranium during the conflict but opted against it, believing detection was inevitable and that such an undertaking would have required several weeks plus substantial machinery transported into the country. He additionally stated that conducting such a mission would serve no purpose.
On Thursday, the president informed journalists at the White House that the group had reached out to propose ending hostilities, despite its earlier public rejection of the ceasefire agreement, and noted that forthcoming changes in the area were linked to developments involving Iran. A return to political and economic order in Lebanon would be a positive development for the region. The country has experienced conflict over an extended period. They consistently occupy a position of lesser competitive standing.
Tehran has indicated that any enduring agreement with Washington and Israel must encompass a cessation of conflict in Lebanon as well. According to Trump, he has held discussions with Netanyahu, Lebanese officials, and representatives from Hezbollah regarding a potential resolution to the hostilities.
In a telephone recording from Evin Prison, journalist Reza Valizadeh appealed to Washington for medical assistance for himself and fellow American detainees, stating that even if full treatment proved difficult to secure, authorities could be asked to ease some of the physical and psychological pressures faced during detention. Following a three-month period of extensive internet restrictions in Iran after joint military operations by Washington and Tel Aviv, communication with the imprisoned citizen has been severely limited for those seeking contact. Last week's easing of restrictions by authorities enabled Valizadeh to send the communication.
Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, indicated to state broadcaster IRIB that Tehran would only accept an agreement with Washington if it comprehensively protects the nation's priorities and addresses all outstanding issues. Gharibabadi stated that the nation operates autonomously in its choices, noting it proceeds based solely on its own perceived national interests without seeking approval from other states. He also referenced Iran's latest military actions against the U.S. and Israel, characterising them as a forceful demonstration of capability.
Following an alert regarding potential operations against Hezbollah positions, Israeli military aircraft conducted an airstrike on a village in Lebanon on Friday, with the action taking place after the group declined a ceasefire proposal facilitated by Washington.
On Friday, residents of six communities in southern Lebanon, including Sarafand along the coast between Tyre and Sidon, received an evacuation notice issued through Arabic-language military communications by spokesperson Avichay Adraee. He had previously instructed people in three settlements north of the Litani River in the southern part of Lebanon to evacuate their residences. The state-run National News Agency reported that residents evacuated the three villages identified in the alert, and a strike on Arqoun, one of those villages, was later documented.
Seven fatalities occurred during nighttime airstrikes in Tyre, a city in southern Lebanon, according to information provided to AFP by a civil defense representative.
