U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (1 June) that he held productive discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, through intermediaries, with the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. He expressed optimism that a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon could hold despite hostilities.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Netanyahu had agreed to halt plans for further military advances into Lebanon, while Hezbollah had committed to ending attacks on Israel.
“There will be no troops going to Beirut, and any troops that are on their way have already been turned back,” Trump wrote, adding that Hezbollah had agreed that “all shooting will stop.”
The comments came as violence continued on the ground.
Israeli strikes targeted southern Lebanon on Monday, while Hezbollah attacks against Israeli forces were also reported, raising questions about the durability of the truce.
Lebanon's embassy in Washington said Hezbollah had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal for a mutual cessation of hostilities that would be expanded to cover all Lebanese territory.
In a statement shared by the Lebanese presidency on X, the embassy said the arrangement would begin with Israel refraining from strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs in exchange for Hezbollah halting attacks on Israel, after Israel had threatened to target the capital's southern outskirts on Monday.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah later told the group's Al-Manar television channel that the movement supports a comprehensive ceasefire across Lebanon as a first step toward the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
He added that Hezbollah would assess in the coming days whether the truce is being respected.
Earlier in the day, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran was suspending indirect negotiations with Washington after Israel ordered troops to advance deeper into Lebanon on Sunday.
Trump later told the U.S. television network NBC News that he had not received any information from Iran regarding a suspension of talks.
Iranian state television subsequently reported that the broader ceasefire arrangement involving the United States could be in jeopardy if Israeli operations against Hezbollah continue.
While Iranian officials did not formally confirm the reports, Iran’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that Washington bears responsibility for violations of both the U.S.-Iran ceasefire framework and the Lebanon truce due to its support for Israel.
Israel has repeatedly carried out strikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs since a ceasefire took effect in mid-April.
On Monday, Netanyahu ordered additional attacks on the Hezbollah stronghold, according to reports.
Israeli forces currently control a stretch of territory in southern Lebanon extending from the border to the Litani River and have advanced beyond it toward the Zaharani River, marking Israel’s deepest military incursion into Lebanon in 25 years.
Later on Monday, Lebanon’s presidency said Hezbollah had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks across Lebanese territory.
However, the statement suggested the commitment may not extend to northern Israel, where Hezbollah has continued launching attacks since the ceasefire began.
Trump’s claim that he communicated with Hezbollah through intermediaries is unusual.
The group is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, and no sitting U.S. president has previously acknowledged direct or indirect talks with Hezbollah in such terms.
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