Iran Reviews Proposed War Halt Deal with US Amid Stalled Communication, Israel Continues Lebanon Strikes

Iran is reportedly reviewing a proposed agreement with the United States to halt their ongoing war, though communication with Washington has ceased for several days, Iranian media reported Tuesday. The conflict, which began on February 28, has claimed thousands of lives and significantly impacted global energy prices by disrupting oil and natural gas supplies through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

The situation has evolved into a stalemate, with the Strait of Hormuz largely shut. Iran has not yet responded to a proposed final text for a temporary deal, citing a history of U.S. non-compliance and deep-seated mistrust, according to Mehr News Agency. Fars News Agency added that messages regarding the potential deal, or memorandum of understanding, stopped a few days ago, with Tehran's last communication concerning Lebanon, where Iran seeks an end to Israeli incursions against its ally Hezbollah.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated Monday that negotiations were continuing and a deal was expected within the week to extend a ceasefire agreed in early April and reopen the strait. He has repeatedly claimed to be close to a deal since mid-March, which would postpone difficult issues like Iran's nuclear program. A ceasefire has largely held since early April, but Iran and the U.S. have exchanged strikes multiple times in the past week. Oil prices fell more than 1% on Tuesday, with a senior International Energy Agency official warning that oil inventories could reach historically low levels.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued its strikes on towns in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese security sources, despite a U.S.-mediated partial ceasefire announced Monday. This ceasefire was intended to halt Israeli strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs, with Hezbollah ceasing attacks on Israel. However, the announcement has not brought relief to many Lebanese, with 1.2 million displaced. The sound of an Israeli drone over Beirut on Tuesday kept residents on edge. "Every time we return to our homes, there is a warning for us to be displaced again," said Faten Al-Chehime, who fled her home in Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday, only two weeks after returning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces domestic criticism over any agreement to hold back from further attacks on Beirut, as an election later this year is projected to result in his loss.

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Every time we return to our homes, there is a warning for us to be displaced again.