Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsWorldIsrael & Middle EastTrump, Netanyahu give differing accounts of phone call over fighting in LebanonThe mismatched statements were another example of confusing signals on progress to end a war that has killed thousands across the region and triggered a global energy crisisAuthor of the article:Last updated 4 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Iran has insisted any peace agreement with Washington must also cover Lebanon, where Tehran-backed Hezbollah terrorists and Israel are engaged in a parallel war. Photo by KAWNAT HAJU/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered differing accounts of a call about the fighting in Lebanon, as the U.S. struggled to get efforts toward an Iran peace deal back on track.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe mismatched statements were the latest example of confusing signals on progress to end a war, now in its fourth month, that has killed thousands across the region and triggered a global energy crisis. Iran said Monday that it was suspending talks with the U.S. amid ongoing clashes in Lebanon — which Tehran has said must stop as part of a broader peace deal.The president said in a Truth Social post on Monday evening that he had asked the Israeli leader “not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon. He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi! I also had a conversation with Representatives of the Leaders of Hezbollah, and they agreed to stop shooting at Israel, and its soldiers. Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them. Let’s see how long that lasts — Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!”Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Channel Israel will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againEarlier Monday, Trump said that talks with Iran were continuing “at a rapid pace” — countering earlier statements from Tehran.Netanyahu, however, didn’t describe the arrangement in such sweeping terms. While he confirmed that Israel wouldn’t strike targets in Beirut so long as Hezbollah ceased its own attacks, he also said Israel’s campaign in southern Lebanon would continue.“I spoke this evening with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not stop firing at our cities and citizens – Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut,” Netanyahu said in a social media post. “This position of ours remain unchanged. Concurrently, the IDF will continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon.”Lebanon has received confirmation that Hezbollah, a militia that the U.S. regards as a terrorist organization, agreed to the U.S. proposal. Israel’s planned attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs would be halted in exchange for the militant group ceasing its strikes, the Lebanese presidency said in a post.The ceasefire should be expanded to include the entirety of Lebanese territories, with more negotiations taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, the presidency said.Asian stocks retreated from record highs early Tuesday amid the conflicting signals from the Middle East. Brent crude steadied around $95 a barrel.Trump has regularly claimed that negotiations were advancing and close to reaching a deal as the ceasefire that began in April remained fragile. Iran disputed reports last week that an interim accord was close and on Monday said it would act with its proxies, dubbed the “Axis of Resistance,” against Israel if fighting in Lebanon continued.Iran has insisted any agreement with Washington must also cover Lebanon, where Tehran-backed Hezbollah terrorists and Israel are engaged in a parallel war. Israel deepened its invasion of Lebanon over the weekend, while Hezbollah stepped up attacks on Israel’s north.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:“I spoke this evening with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not stop firing at our cities and citizens – Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut.This position of ours remain unchanged.Concurrently, the IDF will…— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 1, 2026Negotiators will suspend “the exchange of documents” with the U.S. through mediators, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, citing a statement it didn’t attribute to any official or institution. Iran threatened a complete closing of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial conduit for oil and liquefied natural gas, according to the report.Traders were particularly worried about further supply disruptions as the report mentioned that Iran and its allies are also considering closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial alternate path for oil to reach the global market while Hormuz has been largely blocked.I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon. He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi! I also had a conversation with Representatives of the Leaders of Hezbollah, and they agreed to stop shooting at Israel, and its… pic.twitter.com/xul2w2hM28— Commentary Donald J Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 1, 2026Trump earlier said he hadn’t heard from Iran regarding reports that it’s suspending talks, an NBC reporter said according to social media posts.Washington and Tehran have been trading messages on a draft deal — which would likely see the two sides extend their ceasefire by around two months, with Iran reopening the strait and the U.S. lifting a blockade of Iranian ports.Trump is under increasing pressure to end a war that’s sent energy prices surging and is unpopular with most Americans, while also seeking to placate Iran hawks who oppose any move to unfreeze Iranian funds as Tehran is demanding.“Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end,” Trump said late Sunday, according to a social media post.The Strait of Hormuz also has seen renewed clashes. The U.S. struck Iranian radar and command-and-control sites over the weekend, with the military saying it was a “measured” response to “aggressive Iranian actions.”U.S. forces successfully intercepted two Iranian ballistic missile targeting American forces based in Kuwait, Central Command said Monday. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.