Donald Trump’s bid for direct talks with Hezbollah rejected

Former President Donald Trump reportedly sought to open direct negotiations with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah by contacting the Lebanese embassy in Washington. Sources differ on who blocked the request: a Lebanese embassy official, ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, or internal uncertainty within Hezbollah itself.

Trump later claimed on his Truth Social platform that he had spoken with Hezbollah through unnamed intermediaries and that the group agreed to halt attacks on Israel. Middle East Eye and other cited sources questioned the veracity of those statements, noting no clear confirmation of any such agreement. The episode occurs amid heightened Israel‑Hezbollah tensions and ongoing U.S. mediation efforts in the region, with no official response from the White House.

The denied request underscores the complexities of U.S. involvement in the Israel‑Hezbollah conflict and highlights the challenges of engaging a group designated as a terrorist organization by Washington.