President Donald Trump stated that Israel and Iran are negotiating a ceasefire as violence escalated in the Middle East over the weekend. Iran conducted a missile strike against Israel on Sunday, which was described as retaliation for Israeli attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. In response, Israel struck an Iranian petrochemical site on Monday, marking its first direct strikes against Iran since early April.
Trump posted on Truth Social, stating, "Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on 'Peace' are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way." He added that the blockade would remain in effect until a final deal is reached.
Earlier, Trump urged both nations to cease hostilities, indicating his ongoing interest in negotiating a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Despite this, there has been little substantive progress in negotiations and increasing violence from all parties involved.
Trump also expressed concerns to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the potential impact of renewed military actions on ceasefire talks, which Netanyahu reportedly did not heed.