Lebanon ceasefire talks stall as Hezbollah rejects U.S.-backed proposal amid continued Israel strikes

DUBAI/BEIRUT — Diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon and advance broader regional negotiations involving the United States and Iran encountered a major setback on Thursday after Hezbollah rejected a U.S.-backed truce proposal, while Israel signaled it would continue military operations in southern Lebanon.

The ceasefire initiative forms part of ongoing U.S.-led diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions and creating conditions for wider negotiations with Tehran. Iranian officials have previously indicated that a halt in hostilities in Lebanon would be necessary for progress in any broader agreement with Washington.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the ceasefire would take effect within 24 hours once all parties formally approve the arrangement. However, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem dismissed the proposal, reiterating that what he described as “resistance” would continue.

Although Hezbollah was not a signatory to the agreement reportedly reached between Israel and the Lebanese government earlier this week, analysts say its participation is widely viewed as essential for any ceasefire to hold.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, indicated that military operations in southern Lebanon would continue. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would not withdraw from the area nor suspend ongoing operations.

On the Lebanese side, Hezbollah continued to frame its position as resistance to Israeli military activity, while reiterating demands tied to Israeli withdrawal conditions.

The developments come amid continued exchanges of fire and sustained Israeli air operations in southern Lebanon, further complicating efforts to stabilize the border region.

The stalled ceasefire talks unfolded against a backdrop of broader regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, including reported cross-border incidents and heightened military alert levels in parts of the Middle East.

Iranian-aligned media outlets reported strikes and retaliatory actions in multiple locations across the Gulf region, while U.S. military officials denied claims that American bases in the region had been successfully targeted. The U.S. Central Command stated that its defensive systems intercepted incoming projectiles and that no confirmed damage to its installations had occurred.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reiterated its support for allied groups in the region, maintaining that Israeli forces must withdraw to positions held prior to the latest escalation for any de-escalation framework to proceed.

Despite the heightened tensions, oil markets eased slightly on Thursday, with prices falling amid cautious optimism that diplomatic channels could eventually yield progress on a Lebanon ceasefire and broader regional stabilization efforts.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism regarding ongoing negotiations, suggesting that developments could emerge within days, although he provided no specific details.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route, remains a key point of concern amid ongoing regional instability. The waterway typically carries a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, and any disruption has historically triggered volatility in energy markets.

While some reports have indicated disruptions to maritime and infrastructure facilities in the broader region, details remain contested and have not been independently verified by international monitors.

U.S. and Iranian officials have in recent weeks signaled tentative progress toward a preliminary framework aimed at reducing tensions and reopening key shipping lanes. However, no formal agreement has been finalized.

Iran continues to seek sanctions relief, access to frozen financial assets, and expanded trade flexibility, while Washington maintains that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability remains its core objective.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Thursday that Iran’s adversaries had failed to achieve military objectives and accused them of attempting to sow internal divisions within the country.

The latest developments highlight the fragility of diplomatic efforts across the region, with the future of a Lebanon ceasefire uncertain and broader negotiations facing renewed strain amid continuing military activity.