Middle East roundup, June 1: Trump says Iran talks continuing 'at a rapid pace'

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments

• 'We're close to a very good deal,' says Trump on Iran
• Iran says talks are ongoing with US
• UAE condemns Israeli settlers’ storming of Al-Aqsa mosque
• Netanyahu says capturing Beaufort a 'dramatic shift' in Lebanon siege
• Iran's chief negotiator says no deal with US until Iranian rights secured

Trump urges Israel, Hezbollah to stop fighting 'for eternity'

Published: June 1, 2026 | 23:33 GMT | by AFP

President Donald Trump said Monday he hoped Israel and Hezbollah would stop fighting forever, doubling down on claims of a ceasefire despite Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu reserving the right to strike the Lebanese group.

Trump said on his Truth Social network that Hezbollah had "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!"

Netanyahu tells Trump Israel will strike Beirut if Hezbollah won't stop fire

Published: June 1, 2026 | 22:01 GMT | by AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he told US President Donald Trump that his country would strike Beirut if Hezbollah doesn't stop attacking Israel.

"I spoke this evening with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not cease attacking our towns and our citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut," Netanyahu said, according to a statement released by his office.

"Our position on this remains unchanged. At the same time, the IDF will continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon," he added.

Time to say no to Trump: Israeli minister

Published: June 1, 2026 | 20:58 GMT | by AFP

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has criticized Trump’s announcement of halting strikes that Israel had planned to launch against  Beirut, saying “it is time to say no to Trump,” in a post on X.

“The time has come to do what duty requires and what is required is to strike Hezbollah, unleash our fighters, and restore security to the north,” he said.

Lebanon's US embassy says Hezbollah accepted US proposal on 'mutual cessation of attacks'

Published: June 1, 2026 | 19:28 GMT | by Web Desk

Lebanon's US embassy said on Monday that Hezbollah had accepted a US proposal on a "mutual cessation of attacks", after Israel threatened more strikes on south Beirut on the eve of a fourth round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations.

"The Lebanese authorities received confirmation of Hezbollah's acceptance of the US proposal providing for a mutual cessation of attacks," said an embassy statement released by the Lebanese president's office.

"Under the proposed arrangement, Israeli strikes on Dahiyeh would cease in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from launching attacks against Israel, with the ceasefire framework to be expanded to encompass all Lebanese territory," the statement added, referring to Beirut's southern suburbs.

Pakistan, Egypt discuss regional tensions in high-level call
Published: June 1, 2026 | 18:08 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke by telephone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Monday to discuss the latest regional developments, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

In a statement on X, both sides called for a need for sustained diplomatic engagement to promote peace and stability. They agreed to remain in close contact, according to the ministry.

Peace talks continuing at ‘rapid pace’: Trump

Published: June 1, 2026 | 17:58 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Trump on Monday said that talks are continuing at a 'rapid pace' with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Writing on his Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Trump says Netanyahu agreed not to send troops to Beirut

Published: June 1, 2026 | 17:56 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump said Monday he had persuaded Israel and Hezbollah to de-escalate, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreeing not to send troops to southern Beirut and the Lebanese militant group promising to stop attacks.

"There will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back," Trump said on his Truth Social network after a "very productive" call with Netanyahu.

"Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop -- That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli military incursion into Lebanon
Published: June 1, 2026 | 16:51 GMT | by Web Desk

Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned what it called Israeli aggression against Lebanon, urging the international community to act against military movements it said were aimed at expanding Israeli presence on Lebanese soil.

"Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli aggression against the territories of the brotherly Lebanese Republic and reiterates its categorical rejection of Israel's incursion into Lebanese land and its violation against Lebanon's sovereignty," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Riyadh called on the international community to "assume its responsibility" in halting the aggression, according to the statement.

Saudi Arabia said it backed Lebanon's sovereignty and the safety of its people in line with relevant international agreements. It also called for adherence to the Taif Agreement as the framework for extending Lebanese state authority over all its territory, and for compliance with Lebanese government decisions to restrict arms exclusively to the state and its legitimate institutions.

The kingdom said such steps were necessary to restore security and stability in Lebanon.

Iran Guards threaten 'new fronts' over Israel's Lebanon offensive: state TV
Published: June 1, 2026 | 16:09 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to open "new fronts" and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed over Israel's siege of Lebanon, state media reported on Monday.

"Iran considers crossing the red lines in Lebanon and Gaza to mean direct war," state TV quoted the Guards' intelligence organization as saying, adding: "In return, it is determined to carry out defensive operations by taking meaningful actions and opening new fronts, in addition to preserving the Strait of Hormuz equation."

Israel military issues evacuation warning for Beirut's southern suburbs

Published: June 1, 2026 | 14:18 GMT | by AFP

Israel's military on Monday warned residents of Beirut's southern suburbs of imminent strikes and called for them to evacuate.

"The Israel Defense Forces warns residents of the Dahiyeh area in Beirut and calls on them to evacuate to preserve their safety. If the terrorist Hezbollah continues launching rockets toward Israeli cities and towns, the IDF will respond by targeting objectives in the southern Dahiyeh," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said on X.

Oil prices up over 5% on fresh US-Iran tensions

Published: June 1, 2026 | 13:58 GMT | by AFP

Oil prices surged Monday after Iran said it suspended all exchanges with Washington following days of inconclusive talks to end the war, and the two nations again traded strikes.

At around 1330 GMT, the price of Brent North Sea Crude for August delivery was up 4.9% at $95.60 a barrel, after briefly rising above 5%. Its US counterpart, West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery, was up 5.9% at $92.55.

Iran president vows to facilitate passage of Japanese ships through Hormuz

Published: June 1, 2026 | 13:21 GMT | by AFP

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday promised Japan that it would allow the passage of its ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been mostly closed since the start of the war in the Middle East in February.

"We will try to provide a smooth and easy passage for Japanese ships," Pezeshkian told Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a phone conversation, according to the presidency.

EU calls on Israel to 'stop military escalation' in Lebanon: Spokesman

Published: June 1, 2026 | 12:14 GMT | by AFP

The European Union on Monday urged Israel to halt its military operation in Lebanon, after Israel seized the strategic Beaufort Castle and said it would resume strikes on southern Beirut.

"We call on Israel to stop its military escalation in Lebanon and to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity," EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.

Israel defense minister says 'no calm in Beirut' unless Hezbollah stops attacks

Published: June 1, 2026 | 10:41 GMT | by Web Desk

Israel's defense minister said Monday there would be "no calm in Beirut" if Hezbollah attacks continued and vowed to establish a military-controlled zone in the area of south Lebanon's Litani River.

"The Dahiyeh in Beirut is no different from the communities in northern Israel -- if there is no calm in the north, there will be no calm in Beirut," Israel Katz said in a statement released by his office, referring to the southern suburb of Beirut and Hezbollah stronghold where he had earlier Monday ordered strikes.

"At the same time, the IDF continues to operate with fire and maneuver against Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure in Lebanon ... in order to push threats away from IDF forces and from the residents of the State of Israel, and to turn the Litani area into a zone under IDF security control, free of weapons and terrorists," Katz added.

Macron commends Trump's efforts to reach agreement with Iran 

Published: June 1, 2026 | 09:41 GMT | by Web Desk

French President Emmanuel Macron commends US President Donald Trump's determined efforts "to quickly reach an agreement between the United States and Iran."

In his post on X on Monday, Macron said, "Last night, I spoke with President Trump about the situation in the Middle East."

"I commended the determined efforts he is leading to quickly reach an agreement between the United States and Iran, which represents a unique opportunity to build a new security framework involving all concerned parties, in order to enable a lasting stabilization of the region," the French president said.

"I indicated that we are ready to fully support these efforts and to take our full part in their implementation." 

Pakistan FM, EU foreign policy chief exchange views on regional developments

Published: June 1, 2026 | 08:57 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas met in Islamabad on Monday, according to a post shared by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on X.

"The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments," the post said. 

Iran foreign ministry says currently no talks with US over nuclear issue

Published: June 1, 2026 | 08:11 GMT | by AFP

Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday that there were currently no exchanges with the United States over the details of Tehran's nuclear program.

"We know when it is necessary to act on nuclear matters. No negotiations have taken place on the details of the nuclear file. At this stage, our priority is ending the war," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a weekly press briefing.

Iran foreign ministry says US continues to violate ceasefire

Published: June 1, 2026 | 08:03 GMT | by AFP

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday that the United States continues to violate the ceasefire, after US strikes on a southern port triggered a brief military flare-up.

"The United States is also violating the ceasefire including this morning," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing, vowing that Iran will "take whatever measures we deem necessary to defend Iran's national security".

Iran foreign ministry says ceasefire in Lebanon remains condition for US deal

Published: June 1, 2026 | 08:00 GMT | by AFP

Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a key condition for a deal with the United States.

"We insist that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any deal aimed at ending the war," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing, as Israel expands its offensive in Lebanon.

Iran really wants to make a deal: Trump

Published: June 1, 2026 | 07:55 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said on Monday, "Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us."

He said, "But don’t the Dumocrats, and various seemingly unpatriotic Republicans, understand that it is MUCH tougher for me to properly do my job and negotiate, when political hacks keep negatively 'chirping,' at levels never seen before, over and over again, that I should move faster, or move slower, or go to war, or not go to war, or whatever."

"Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end - It always does!" the US president said.

UN to meet on Lebanon after Israel takes Beaufort castle

Published: June 1, 2026 | 07:17 GMT | by AFP

The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday on the fighting in Lebanon after Israel's military took over the medieval castle of Beaufort in Lebanese territory, diplomatic sources told AFP.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to push deeper into Lebanon and called Sunday's operation a "dramatic shift" in the campaign against Hezbollah.

A truce to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began on April 17, but has never been observed. 

Diplomatic sources told AFP that the United Nations Security Council would hold an emergency meeting on Monday over Israel's expansion of its offensive in the country.

The meeting was requested by France, whose President Emmanuel Macron said "nothing justifies the major escalation underway in south Lebanon," calling for an end to fighting.

President says Lebanon facing 'vicious Israeli aggression'

Published: June 1, 2026 | 05:27 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that his country was facing "a vicious and reprehensible Israeli aggression," after Israel stepped up its offensive against Hezbollah with the capture of the medieval Beaufort Castle.

Aoun condemned the Israeli offensive in a post on X and pledged to "work to end the suffering of the Lebanese people, and people in the south in particular."

On Monday, the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Lebanon, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the castle's seizure marked a "dramatic shift" in the fighting.

US proposes new 'roadmap' for de-escalation in Lebanon, says official 

Published: June 1, 2026 | 05:10 GMT | by Web Desk

Washington has presented a plan to ease tensions in Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported, citing a US official. 

The official said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the proposal.

Under the proposed "roadmap," Hezbollah would stop its attacks on Israel, while Israel would refrain from escalating military actions in Beirut. 

The official described the initiative as an effort to foster conditions for a gradual reduction in tensions and ultimately achieve a full and lasting end to hostilities.

The official added that the fastest way to safeguard civilians and lower the risk of further escalation is for Hezbollah to immediately cease its attacks, stressing that the United States does not expect Israel to accept ongoing strikes against its civilian population.

Iran Guards say targeted US base: State broadcaster

Published: June 1, 2026 | 04:03 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday they had targeted a base used by the United States military to strike Iranian territory.

The base's location was not specified in the Guards' statement, broadcast by IRIB and other state media.

Earlier, Kuwait's military said its air defenses were responding to a drone and missile attack.

US says struck Iranian radar and drone control sites

Published: June 1, 2026 | 04:01 GMT | by AFP

The United States struck Iranian radar and drone control sites over the weekend, its military said on Sunday.

"U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted self-defense strikes on Iranian radar and command and control sites for drones in Goruk, Iran and Qeshm Island this weekend," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

The strikes were in response to the shootdown of a US MQ-1 drone, it added.

Kuwait army says air defenses intercept missile, drone attacks

Published: June 1, 2026 | 04:00 GMT | by AFP

Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted "hostile missile and drone attacks," the military said Monday, as air raid sirens howled across the country.

"The General Staff of the Army wishes to advise that any sounds of explosions heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting these hostile attacks," the Kuwait Army said in a post on its official X account.

KUNA, the state news agency, reported that air raid sirens rang across the Gulf nation, despite a US-Iran ceasefire in place.

Trump says Iran deal is primarily about nuclear weapons

Published: June 1, 2026 | 01:25 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said that his Iran deal covers nuclear weapons "in very strong and lengthy detail," in a post on his Truth Social.

"Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon," he added, "In fact, that’s what most of the agreement is about."

Trump refuted CNN's coverage of his draft agreement with Iran, saying the network had incorrectly reported the deal.

France, Germany, and Britain voice concern over Israel's ground invasion of southern Lebanon

Published: June 1, 2026 | 00:05 GMT | by Web Desk

In separate statements, the French President Emmanuel Macron, German ‌Foreign ‌Minister Johann ‌Wadephu, and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper have called out Israel for its continued ground invasion of Lebanon.

Read our May 31 live blog for earlier developments here