US plan aims to halt Hezbollah attacks in exchange for no further Israeli escalation; Iran says talks with Washington are ongoing but outcome uncertain

The United States has submitted a diplomatic proposal aiming to curb the widening hostilities in Lebanon, a senior US official told Al Jazeera on Sunday, even as Tehran said its communications with Washington continue and the final outcome remains uncertain.

Under the US “roadmap”, outlined to Lebanese and Israeli leaders over the past 48 hours, Hezbollah would suspend attacks on Israeli territory in return for Israel refraining from further military escalation in Beirut and other Lebanese population centres, the official said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate calls with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to press the idea, the official added.

Lebanese politics complicate push

President Aoun sought to advance the US proposal, according to the official, but Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri — a key Shia political figure closely aligned with Hezbollah — described his response as “evasive and disappointing”. Berri, speaking to Lebanon’s National News Agency, said he could guarantee Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire, but questioned who would force Israel to stop its strikes and incursions.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from Israel’s military campaign since March 2 has reached 3,412, with 10,269 wounded as of May 31. The ministry’s figures cover casualties recorded between March 2 and May 31 and underscore the heavy civilian impact of the expanding campaign, particularly in southern Lebanon and areas around Tyre and Nabatieh.

Regional and international reactions

The proposed US initiative comes amid growing international concern over Israeli offensives in Lebanon. France, Britain and Germany have publicly called for an end to escalation. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged Israel to stop operations that, she said, have “eroded space for diplomacy.” France requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

Qatar, Egypt and the UAE joined the chorus, condemning the expansion of hostilities and warning that further military action risks wider regional destabilisation. The proposal is intended, the US official said, to “create a conducive environment” for step‑by‑step de‑escalation and a comprehensive cessation of hostilities.

Ground developments and recent strikes

The ceasefire push arrives as Israeli forces have renewed a series of strikes and ground movements in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s official National News Agency and the health ministry reported multiple air strikes at dawn on Sunday in towns including Deir Zahrani, Dbeibine and Burj Qalawiya, with some incidents causing civilian casualties.

Hezbollah has continued to retaliate with drones, rocket salvoes and targeted strikes against Israeli positions; Israeli military statements claim more than 900 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the start of the conflict in early March. Both sides reported missile launches and interceptions overnight, and sirens sounded in northern Israel after reports of incoming projectiles.

Iran‑US communications continue

In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media that dialogue and message exchanges between Iran and the United States are ongoing but cautioned it is too soon to judge any final outcome. “Everything that is being said now is speculation,” he said, according to IRNA, asking that reports be treated cautiously until talks reach a clear conclusion.

The Iranian government meanwhile has been active on multiple fronts: restoring limited gas production at South Pars platforms after March damage, and asserting a legal rationale for collecting environmental fees from ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, officials said.

What comes next

Diplomats say the US plan faces steep political obstacles inside Lebanon, where key figures linked to Hezbollah demand reciprocal Israeli restraint as an initial step. Washington will reportedly continue shuttle diplomacy, and international pressure is likely to intensify at the UN and through regional interlocutors.

On the ground, the immediate prospects for a halt in violence appear fragile. Military movements, air strikes and cross‑border incidents persisted on Monday morning, with civilian casualties mounting. Observers in Beirut said any agreement will require robust verification mechanisms and guarantees acceptable to both Lebanese political factions and Israeli security planners.

For now, officials in Washington, Beirut and Tehran emphasise talks rather than imminent resolution. “Negotiations are ongoing,” Araghchi said — a caveat that may mean diplomatic gains are possible but far from certain.