Trump Urges De-escalation Amid Near-Deal Peace Talks

President Donald Trump stated that the Middle East is "very close" to a peace deal and urged all parties to stand down, following an Israeli strike on Beirut that he warned could disrupt ongoing talks. Trump posted on Truth Social that the attack should not have happened, especially as Washington nears an agreement with Iran. While acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense, he described the preceding attack as small and without casualties, emphasizing it should not derail the peace process.

Trump called for an end to Israeli attacks anywhere in Lebanon and for no further attacks by any party, including Hezbollah, against Israel. He framed the moment as a potential turning point, suggesting it "could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace" and urging parties not to "blow it."

The statement comes amid an intense diplomatic push. Trump has repeatedly indicated a deal with Iran is imminent, though Iranian officials maintain no final text exists and significant disagreements persist. These conflicting signals have kept markets attentive to the region. Bitcoin, as a high-beta asset, has reacted to shifts in global risk sentiment driven by these developments.

Details of a draft US-Iran memorandum suggest Iran would allow commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US would relax naval surveillance near Iranian ports. This proposal includes a 60-day window to negotiate a broader agreement on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief. The Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global oil transport, has been a point of tension, and its reopening could ease fuel and energy prices.