The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes Monday amid stalled negotiations over an end to the ongoing Middle East war. Tehran reiterated that any peace deal must also address Israel’s offensive in Lebanon.
Stalled Negotiations and Ongoing Conflict
Weeks of indirect talks have so far failed to produce a resolution to the war or to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for Gulf oil and gas. The latest exchange coincided with Israel expanding its ground offensive into southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to target “terror sites” and push further into the country, intensifying regional tensions.
The U.S. has supported Israel’s operations against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah while attempting to negotiate a broader deal with Iran that would end hostilities, reopen the strait, and address the country’s nuclear program.
Iran’s Position on the Nuclear Talks
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the U.S. of violating the ceasefire and insisted that Israel halt its offensive before substantive nuclear negotiations could continue.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei emphasized that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an “essential condition” for any peace agreement and that no discussions have taken place regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Baghlaf also stated, “No negotiations have taken place on the details of the nuclear file. At this stage, our priority is ending the war.”
Recent Military Strikes
The U.S. military reported carrying out “self-defense strikes” on Iranian radar and drone control sites over the weekend in response to the downing of an American MQ-1 drone. This marked the third such wave of strikes in just over a week.
In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have targeted an airbase from which the U.S. strikes originated. While the base’s host country was not named, Kuwaiti officials reported intercepting missiles and drones in connection with the attacks.
Nuclear Program and Frozen Assets
Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is civilian in nature, while the U.S. and its Western allies suspect it is intended to develop atomic weapons. Tehran has demanded the release of $12 billion in frozen assets before engaging in detailed nuclear negotiations.
President Donald Trump claimed on social media that any deal would explicitly prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The Lebanon Front
A truce between Israel and Hezbollah formally began on April 17 but has repeatedly broken down, with both sides accusing the other of violations. Israel’s recent ground offensive has included retaking the historic Beaufort castle, a strategic stronghold from past conflicts.
Netanyahu described the operation as “a dramatic shift” in the fight against Hezbollah and pledged continued strikes and incursions.
