US President Donald Trump said a framework agreement with Iran could be reached as early as next week, despite continued military escalation across the Middle East.
According to ABC News, Trump indicated that negotiations are at an advanced stage, although some issues remain unresolved and final approval has not yet been given.
Possible deal with Iran
The proposed agreement is expected to include:
- The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
- An extension of the ceasefire in place since 8 April
Trump said progress had been made but noted that “a few outstanding issues” still need to be settled before giving the final green light.
There has been no official confirmation from Tehran that an agreement is imminent.
Fighting continues despite ceasefire
Although a truce formally remains in place, hostilities have persisted in recent weeks across multiple fronts.
The broader regional conflict, which escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, has resulted in thousands of casualties, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, while also disrupting global markets.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been especially significant, triggering volatility in energy markets and driving up oil prices.
Hezbollah attacks in southern Lebanon
Hezbollah said it carried out a series of attacks against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the group claimed it had destroyed a Merkava tank with a direct rocket strike near Hadatha, and targeted additional Israeli armour and troops using rockets, artillery and guided missiles.
It also reported an attack on another tank in the Bayyada area.
Israeli strikes and Beirut warnings
Lebanon’s state news agency ANI reported Israeli air strikes on several southern villages, including Marwaniyya, Sidiqin, Yater and Mansouri, as well as a strong explosion in the Debbin area.
Earlier, Trump said on Truth Social that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had assured him that Israeli troops would not be deployed to Beirut and that Hezbollah would halt its attacks.
Netanyahu, however, warned that Israeli forces would strike southern Beirut suburbs if Hezbollah continued its operations, prompting some residents to leave affected areas.
Despite the warnings, Trump said he does not expect a “major assault on Beirut.”
