WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump claims both Israel and Hezbollah will scale back their fighting after he spoke to both parties. This follows the weekends heavy attacks in southern Lebanon, which also strains peace talks with Iran.
Early Monday, Israel announced they would target Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern outskirts in which Iran countered that residents in northern Israel should evacuate if Lebanon comes under fire.
Iran announced earlier in the day that communications with the US have stopped because of Israel’s attacks in Lebanon. Iran said Israeli attacks in Lebanon are a breach of Iran’s ceasefire agreement with the US. President Trump took to Truth Social claiming that talks are still ongoing.
Over the weekend US Central Command shared they intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting American forces based in Kuwait over the weekend. They say no Americans were harmed. They also announced the US carried out “self-defense” strikes in Iran.
Iran and the US have repeatedly exchanged fire since their shaky ceasefire agreement came into effect in early April. The tensions have rattled the region.
The weekends rollercoaster of events has pushed up oil prices. Although gas prices dropped again on Monday, the overall cost of gas remains higher than average since the war began more than three months ago.
“There’s been a lot said about negotiations and anything to reopen the Strait could potentially push prices lower,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis with GasBuddy. “If that does happen, gas prices this summer could slide back to the four-dollar mark something that could happen by July fourth if talks are successful. If they’re not and the Strait remains closed for a longer period of time, gas prices may remain elevated. They may even go up more dramatically so very much contingent on what happens with the Strait of Hormuz.”
