US President Donald Trump said on Monday that negotiations with Iran are continuing at a “rapid pace” despite a new exchange of fire that represents a test of the fragile ceasefire between the two sides.“Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.The ceasefire, reached nearly two months ago after weeks of conflict, has come under renewed pressure as US and Iranian forces exchanged blows over the weekend and into Monday. The recent attacks have raised fears that the truce could collapse and disrupt ongoing diplomatic efforts.Trump also said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and representatives of Hezbollah amid rising tensions in Lebanon.“I had a very productive call with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, and there will be no troops heading to Beirut, and any troops that were on their way have already been turned back,” he wrote.Trump added that Hezbollah agreed to stop attacks on Israel. “They agreed that the shooting would stop — that Israel would not attack them, and they would not attack Israel,” he said.Earlier, Trump told NBC News that Washington had not been officially informed of Iran’s announced decision to suspend negotiations.
“I think it is good that they finished the talks,” he said, adding that Tehran had not officially communicated such a decision to the United States.“But they didn’t tell us that,” Trump said. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to go and start dropping bombs everywhere over there.”These developments come at a time when Israel continues its military campaign in Lebanon. At the weekend, Israeli forces carried out their deepest incursion into the country in 26 years.
On Monday, Netanyahu ordered strikes on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, signaling a further escalation in the conflict.Trump’s call with Netanyahu came shortly after those attacks were launched.Meanwhile, Iran said it stopped exchanging messages with Washington through intermediaries after the strike on Lebanon.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on October 10: “The ceasefire between Iran and the United States is an unequivocal ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Violating it on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The United States and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.”