Trump touts ‘progress’ in Lebanon talks after Hezbollah and Israel trade fresh attacks

Former US President Donald Trump asserted that progress has been made in ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, following discussions with Hezbollah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His remarks came after both sides violated a US-brokered truce, with Hezbollah targeting Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, killing one soldier with an anti-tank missile. A UN peacekeeper was also killed, and two others injured, when a mortar shell struck their position. Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, dismissed the ceasefire as an 'imaginary' agreement, calling it a surrender if the group halted attacks while Israel continued operations. The militant group rejected the truce, which did not include them in negotiations. In the US, the House rejected a Democrat-led resolution aimed at withdrawing US armed forces from Lebanon, with no American troops currently engaged in combat there. Meanwhile, Iran announced plans to impose security service fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking a shift from previous transit toll demands. The US has opposed any tolls, insisting the waterway remain open without restrictions as Iran consolidates control over the critical trade route. The conflict escalated despite diplomatic efforts, with Trump suggesting he could meet Iran’s supreme leader if a deal to end the war is reached. However, Iran’s foreign minister denied significant progress in negotiations, highlighting conflicting statements between Trump and Tehran. The violence in southern Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz tensions underscore deepening regional instability, with Trump’s involvement adding a layer of uncertainty to potential diplomatic solutions.