Iranian Parliament speaker Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf warned Monday that continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon would force Tehran to suspend negotiations aimed at ending the conflict triggered by the February 28 Israeli and American offensive against the Islamic Republic. Qalibaf, after speaking with Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri, also highlighted the “brotherhood” between the Lebanese and Iranian peoples and threatened direct confrontation if aggression persists.
The warning arrived hours after Donald Trump announced that Israel would not strike Beirut following what he described as a “very productive” call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump claimed Israeli troops headed for the Lebanese capital had turned around and that he had spoken directly with Hezbollah, who agreed to cease firing. “Israel will not attack them and they will not attack Israel,” he stated.
Earlier, Trump shrugged off the possibility of Iran halting talks, telling NBC News that such a pause would be “logical” because Iranians are “better negotiators than fighters.” The rapid sequence of statements has left observers wondering whether the latest diplomatic dance will produce lasting calm or merely another round of carefully worded threats delivered through social media.
