• The United States and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes on Monday amid stalled peace negotiations
• Iran insists that any agreement to end the conflict must include a ceasefire in Lebanon
• The United States President, Donald Trump, reiterated that any future agreement must ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon

The United States and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes on Monday, June 1, underscoring the growing difficulties in reaching a peace agreement as both sides remain divided over key issues, including Israel’s expanding military operations in Lebanon.

Despite weeks of indirect negotiations aimed at ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme, no breakthrough has been achieved.

The latest violence comes amid a widening regional conflict, with Israel intensifying its offensive against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled a further expansion of military operations, directing the military to target what he described as “terror targets” in a southern district of Beirut and vowing to push deeper into Lebanese territory.

The United States has continued to support Israel’s campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group while simultaneously pursuing diplomatic efforts with Tehran to end the broader conflict that began in late February following US-led strikes on Iran.

However, Iranian officials reiterated on Monday, June 1, that progress towards a wider peace deal remains impossible unless Israel halts its military offensive in Lebanon.

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused Washington of failing to uphold ceasefire commitments, describing the US naval blockade on Iranian ports and the escalation in Lebanon as “clear evidence of US non-compliance with the ceasefire.”

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stressed that Tehran's immediate focus remains ending the conflict rather than discussing nuclear issues.

“We know when it is necessary to act on nuclear matters,” Baqaei said.

“No negotiations have taken place on the details of the nuclear file. At this stage, our priority is ending the war.”

He further insisted that “a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any deal aimed at ending the war,” while also accusing the United States of violating existing ceasefire arrangements.

The US military confirmed that it carried out what it described as “self-defence strikes” on Iranian radar and drone-control facilities over the weekend.

According to US officials, the attacks were launched in response to the downing of an American MQ-1 drone.

In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that they had targeted an airbase allegedly used by US forces to conduct the strikes.

While the Guards did not reveal the location of the base, Kuwait reported intercepting what it called “hostile missile and drone attacks” within its airspace.

The conflict has further complicated already fragile discussions over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Although Tehran maintains that its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian purposes, the United States and its allies continue to express concerns that Iran may be seeking the capability to develop a nuclear weapon.

The United States President, Donald Trump, reiterated Washington’s position, stating on social media that the proposed agreement “states, very clearly, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Iran, meanwhile, has demanded the release of $12 billion in frozen assets before entering substantive nuclear negotiations and has rejected suggestions that its stockpile of enriched uranium would be dismantled.

The situation in Lebanon remains another major obstacle to peace efforts. Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah formally came into effect on April 17, both sides have repeatedly accused one another of violating the agreement.

Israeli forces have continued their ground operations in southern Lebanon, recently raising their flag over the historic Beaufort Castle, a strategic site previously used during Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon in the 1980s and 1990s.

Describing the development as “a dramatic shift,” Netanyahu pledged to continue military operations against Hezbollah, signalling further strikes and incursions deeper into Lebanese territory.

With violence escalating across multiple fronts, the United Nations Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation and growing fears of a broader regional conflict.

US threatens return to war as Trump stands firm on Iran nuclear red lines

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the United States warned that it was prepared to resume military operations against Iran if ongoing peace negotiations fail, as uncertainty continued to surround efforts to end the conflict that has shaken the Middle East and global markets.

The warning came after the United States President, Donald Trump, reiterated that any agreement with Tehran must meet Washington's key conditions, including a permanent commitment by Iran not to develop nuclear weapons.