Iran has officially broken off ceasefire negotiations, citing Israel’s ongoing military strikes on Lebanon as making the talks untenable.
According to The Washington Post, Iran’s foreign ministry issued a formal statement declaring that Israel’s military actions had removed any basis for continued diplomatic engagement.
The escalation follows Israel’s new offensive in southern Beirut, where Israeli forces captured a historic hilltop fortress in a move that Lebanese officials described as a “shock to all Lebanese.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to intensify its attacks on Beirut, calling it a “clear message” to armed groups operating in Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump told CNBC he did “not care” whether Iran withdrew from the talks, signaling Washington’s alignment with Israel’s position.
Regional analysts warned that the collapse of ceasefire negotiations could trigger a broader escalation across the Middle East, particularly if Israel continues expanding its military footprint in Lebanon.