In a statement, Hezbollah said its leader, Naim Qassem, received a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressing that Tehran would continue backing what it described as movements seeking “justice and freedom,” with Hezbollah identified as a principal ally.

The group said the communication reflected Iran’s determination to maintain political and strategic support for Hezbollah despite ongoing regional tensions and efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict between Washington and Tehran.

According to Hezbollah, Iran’s most recent proposal, reportedly conveyed through Pakistani mediators, seeks to secure a “permanent and stable” conclusion to the war and specifically calls for Lebanon to be included in any ceasefire framework.

The statement did not provide additional details on the contents of the proposal or indicate whether the United States, Israel, or other parties involved in regional diplomacy had responded to the initiative.
Hezbollah has long been one of Iran’s closest regional allies, receiving political, financial and military support from Tehran.

The group plays a significant role in Lebanon’s political landscape while also maintaining an armed wing that has been involved in conflicts across the region.

The remarks come amid intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at containing wider regional instability and preventing hostilities from expanding across multiple fronts in the Middle East.

The discussions in Tehran came as Iran said it was reviewing Washington’s latest position on ending the conflict that erupted after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February and has remained paused under a fragile ceasefire since April 8.

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Pezeshkian and Naqvi reviewed “the latest regional developments and the diplomatic consultations related to the Iran-U.S. talks,” while emphasizing continued political coordination and regional cooperation.

Naqvi conveyed the “messages and views” of Pakistani officials regarding ongoing negotiations and the importance of maintaining dialogue, IRNA reported.
Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary since the conflict began, hosting rare direct talks between U.S. and Iranian officials last month as Islamabad intensified diplomatic outreach aimed at preventing renewed escalation in the Gulf region.

Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s efforts to support regional stability and stressed the importance of continued coordination between Tehran and Islamabad, according to Iranian media.
The war, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran in late February, disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic energy corridor that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.

Although direct fighting halted under the ceasefire agreement, negotiations have shown limited progress in recent weeks.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said military action remained an option if Tehran failed to respond positively to U.S. proposals.

“Believe me, if we don’t get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We’re all ready to go,” Trump said, according to the Associated Press.
Asked how long Washington would wait, Trump replied: “It could be a few days, but it could go very quickly.”

Trump also reiterated that the United States would not permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
“We’re in the final stages of Iran,” Trump said earlier. “Either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty.”

Iran said it was examining Washington’s latest views after submitting a new proposal this week. Iranian officials indicated the offer included demands previously rejected by Trump, including sanctions relief, compensation for war-related damage, release of frozen assets and changes linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

“We have received U.S. views and are reviewing them,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted as saying by Nour News.

The uncertainty surrounding negotiations has contributed to volatility in global energy markets and increased political pressure on Trump ahead of U.S. midterm elections later this year amid rising fuel prices.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the evacuation order was issued in response to what Israel described as repeated Hezbollah violations of the truce agreement that took effect in mid-April.“In light of the terrorist Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is compelled to act against it forcefully,” Adraee said in a statement posted on X.Residents were instructed to leave their homes and move at least 1,000 meters away from the affected villages into open areas for their safety, the statement said.

The warning came as fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group continued to intensify across southern Lebanon, with both sides exchanging fire almost daily despite the ceasefire arrangement.Earlier Saturday, the Israeli military said it had targeted more than 85 Hezbollah infrastructure sites over the previous 24 hours through aerial and ground operations.

According to the military, the strikes hit weapons storage facilities, missile launchers and structures allegedly used by Hezbollah to conduct attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.Israel also said it struck an underground Hezbollah weapons production facility in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley and targeted militants accused of conducting operations against Israeli troops deployed in southern Lebanon.

On Friday, Hezbollah announced missile and drone attacks against Israeli military bases in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and continued attacks in southern Lebanon.Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes killed 11 people in southern Lebanon on Friday.

The latest escalation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire reached earlier this year after months of cross-border clashes that expanded alongside the broader regional conflict involving Israel, Iran and allied armed groups.

Israel and Lebanon remain formally at war, although indirect diplomatic efforts backed by international mediators have sought to prevent wider regional escalation.

According to state news agency WAM, the leaders described the attacks as violations of UAE sovereignty and threats to national stability, expressing solidarity with the country amid heightened regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

Among those who spoke with Sheikh Mohamed were Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Masrour Barzani, prime minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.The leaders affirmed their backing for the UAE’s efforts to safeguard its security and ensure the protection of civilians, underscoring a coordinated regional response to the escalation.

The calls come as geopolitical tensions continue to rise across the Middle East, with recent incidents involving Iranian-linked actions drawing strong reactions from regional governments.

“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to the Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be open to all,” Trump said on social media, warning that failure to accept the proposal would result in intensified military action.

The remarks come amid indications that Washington and Tehran are nearing a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and initiating further negotiations, according to a source familiar with the talks.

The proposed framework would declare an end to the war and launch a 30-day negotiating period to finalize arrangements covering maritime transit through the strait, limits on Iran’s nuclear program, and the lifting of US sanctions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be ensured once US threats subside, adding that new procedures were being implemented for shipping, though no details were provided.The developments follow Trump’s decision to pause “Project Freedom,” a US naval mission intended to escort vessels through the waterway, citing progress in negotiations.

The blockade, however, remains in force.The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, has been largely closed to international shipping since late February, when the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran. The disruption has severely affected global energy flows and heightened geopolitical tensions.

According to sources, the draft memorandum could include provisions for Iran to halt nuclear enrichment activities, while the United States would lift sanctions and release frozen Iranian funds. Both sides would also gradually ease restrictions on shipping during the negotiation period.

The talks involve US envoys and Iranian officials engaging directly and through intermediaries, with Pakistan playing a mediating role, the source said.Despite the diplomatic progress, incidents in the strait have continued.

A French shipping company reported that one of its container vessels was struck in the waterway this week, with injured crew evacuated.Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking during a visit to China, said Tehran was seeking a “fair and comprehensive agreement” but did not directly address Trump’s latest comments.

The conflict, which began on February 28, has disrupted shipping and triggered repeated strikes on vessels and regional targets, underscoring the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz to global trade and energy markets.

The warning came as negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain stalled following a ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran that took effect on April 8, with control of the strait a central dispute.

Trump said the operation, dubbed “Project Freedom,” would begin on Monday and described it as a humanitarian effort to assist crews stranded amid the disruption to shipping.

In a social media post, he said U.S. forces would work to guide vessels safely out of the waterway.In response, Iran’s military central command said any transit through the strait must be coordinated with Iranian forces, warning that “any foreign armed force especially the aggressive U.S. military” entering the area would be attacked, according to a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB and attributed to Major General Ali Abdollahi.

The standoff has disrupted global energy flows, with Iran effectively restricting the movement of oil, gas and fertilizer shipments through the strait, while the United States has imposed countermeasures targeting Iranian ports. Maritime data cited by AXSMarine indicated that more than 900 commercial vessels were in the Gulf as of April 29.

The United States Central Command said the escort mission would involve guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms and around 15,000 personnel.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the maritime security threat level in the strait remains “critical” due to ongoing military activity, advising vessels to coordinate with Omani authorities and consider alternative routing.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis have so far yielded little progress. Iran has proposed a framework for negotiations, including reopening the strait and lifting blockades, while U.S. officials have indicated discussions are ongoing but have not detailed specific terms.European officials have urged a negotiated resolution, warning of the economic impact of prolonged disruption.

Emmanuel Macron called for a coordinated reopening of the strait, while Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul stressed the need for Iran to restore navigation and address nuclear concerns.Oil prices have risen sharply, trading about 50 percent above pre-conflict levels amid supply constraints linked to the strait, a key global energy corridor.

The truce, which began at midnight local time, marks a significant step in diplomatic efforts linked to a broader regional de-escalation involving tensions between the United States and . However, the Lebanese military said Israeli actions in the south constituted breaches of the ceasefire and urged residents to delay their return.

Despite the warnings, convoys of civilians were seen heading south toward their homes, with traffic building along coastal routes and damaged infrastructure, including bridges hit during recent hostilities. Residents cited strong attachment to their homes as a driving force behind their return.

International reactions to the truce were broadly supportive. The Kremlin welcomed the agreement, expressing hope it would prevent renewed clashes, while called for its continuation and urged both sides to uphold their commitments. also endorsed the ceasefire, describing it as a step toward lasting peace, while Iran’s foreign ministry framed it as part of a wider understanding tied to regional de-escalation.

The conflict in Lebanon intensified in early March when launched rocket attacks toward Israel, triggering a series of Israeli strikes. Fighting continued until shortly before the truce took effect, with casualties reported on both sides.

Under the ceasefire framework, mediated with US involvement, Israel retains the right to act against perceived imminent threats, while Lebanon is expected, with international support, to prevent Hezbollah from carrying out attacks. Israeli Prime Minister said the agreement could open the door to a broader peace arrangement but reiterated that disarmament of Hezbollah remains a key condition.

US President said he had spoken with both Israeli and Lebanese leaders ahead of the truce and suggested the possibility of high-level talks in Washington in the coming days, a development that could mark a significant diplomatic milestone if realised.

The ceasefire remains fragile, with both sides maintaining heightened alert levels as the situation on the ground continues to evolve.

The announcement came a day after talks in Pakistan ended without agreement, underscoring persistent divisions over terms to end a conflict launched on Feb. 28 by the United States and Israel. The blockade is aimed at pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept a broader settlement addressing its nuclear and missile programs, as well as its regional activities.

Trump indicated that diplomatic channels remain open, saying Iran had reached out to explore a possible resolution. “We’ve been called by the right people and they want to work a deal,” he told reporters outside the White House.

Iran signaled conditional openness to negotiations. Judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei said discussions must proceed on the basis of “principles and logic,” while other officials warned that Tehran would respond if the situation escalates.

The blockade drew sharp reactions from Iran, which threatened countermeasures targeting ports across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, raising the risk that the two-week ceasefire declared earlier could collapse before its April 22 expiry.

At the core of the dispute remain differences over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically passes. Its closure has already disrupted markets and driven up oil prices.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation in the recent talks, said Iran had not provided assurances it would refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons capability. Tehran has long denied such intentions while defending its right to civilian nuclear development, including uranium enrichment.

Iran’s negotiating position, articulated by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, emphasized sovereignty over the strait, an end to hostilities, and compensation for wartime damage.

Iranian officials also dismissed the blockade as exaggerated, with parliamentary spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei describing it as “more bluffing than reality.”
Pakistan has indicated it may facilitate further dialogue, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressing willingness to host another round of talks, though no timeline has been confirmed.

Both sides have maintained firm public positions, with Trump warning that any Iranian attempt to challenge the blockade would be met with force, while Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the measure risked further destabilizing the global economy.

The Israeli military said it targeted positions in the Lebanese capital following overnight operations that included the destruction of a bridge linking Sohmor and Mashghara over the Litani River, a route it said was used to transfer reinforcements.

An AFP journalist reported hearing two explosions in Beirut early Saturday, with smoke seen rising from one of the strike locations. Local media said Israeli warplanes hit areas in the southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold that has been repeatedly targeted in recent days.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency confirmed the bridge strike, while local reports indicated a second crossing was also hit. Israeli forces have previously targeted multiple bridges along the Litani River, an area roughly 30 km north of the Israeli border where Israel has signaled it seeks to maintain security control.

The escalation follows Hezbollah’s entry into the broader regional conflict on March 2, when the group launched rockets at Israel after a U.S.-Israeli strike killed Iran’s supreme leader.Lebanon’s health ministry said two people were killed and 15 wounded in Sohmor after an Israeli strike hit as worshippers were leaving a mosque following Friday prayers.

Separately, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon reported that three peacekeepers were wounded in an explosion at one of its positions in southern Lebanon, the third such incident in recent days. The origin of the blast remains unclear, with Israel accusing Hezbollah of launching a rocket that struck the site.

According to Lebanese authorities, more than 1,300 people have been killed since the latest round of hostilities began. Israel’s military says it has struck over 3,500 targets across Lebanon in the past month, while Hezbollah reports carrying out more than 1,300 operations against Israeli positions.

Residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs continued daily life amid the strikes, with religious observances taking place despite the ongoing bombardment.

The conflict has also taken a toll on UN peacekeeping forces, with multiple fatalities reported in recent days. The United Nations says 97 personnel have been killed in violence since the mission was established in 1978.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the address in a post on X late Tuesday, stating that Trump would speak at 9:00 p.m. to outline developments related to Iran.

The announcement came shortly after Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that U.S. forces could withdraw from Iran within “two or three weeks,” indicating that military objectives were nearing completion.

His remarks suggested that a withdrawal timeline would not necessarily depend on reaching a negotiated agreement with Tehran.The address is expected to provide further clarity on the administration’s strategy as the conflict continues to affect regional stability and global energy markets.

The White House did not release additional details on the content of the speech.The Iran conflict, which began in late February, has involved sustained U.S. military operations alongside escalating tensions across the broader Middle East.