Trump pushes new Iran talks from Pakistan while Israel's ceasefire violations stir tension

On the 12th day of a shaky ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Donald Trump has reentered the diplomatic spotlight, announcing that a U.S. delegation will travel to Pakistan for a new round of indirect talks with Iran. The move, aimed at curbing regional aggression, comes with a sharp warning: if Iran continues to support attacks on American or allied forces, the U.S. could respond with strikes on civilian infrastructure-a threat that has drawn both attention and concern from international observers.

The talks, to be held in Islamabad, mark a continuation of backchannel diplomacy that began earlier this month. Trump, speaking from Florida, emphasized that the U.S. would not tolerate further provocations. 'We're giving them one more chance,' he said. 'But if there's another attack on our people, we won't just hit military sites-we'll hit the things that keep their cities running.'

At the same time, the ceasefire in Lebanon is showing signs of strain. Despite a Washington-brokered agreement meant to halt hostilities, Israeli forces have continued operations in the south, including the widespread demolition of structures. Reports from the region describe entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, with local officials accusing Israel of using the truce as cover to consolidate control over disputed border areas.

Hussein Ibish, a senior analyst at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, described the situation as a 'double game.' He said Israel appears to be negotiating in good faith at the diplomatic table while advancing its military objectives on the ground. 'They're sending envoys to talks while their bulldozers level villages,' Ibish said. 'It's hard to see this as anything but an effort to change facts before any final deal is signed.'

The U.S. has not publicly condemned the demolitions, and Trump made no mention of them in his remarks. Instead, his focus remained squarely on Iran, which he accused of fueling instability through proxy forces in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. The threat of targeting civilian infrastructure-a departure from traditional military doctrine-has sparked debate about the proportionality and legality of such a response.

Still, the choice of Pakistan as a diplomatic venue adds a layer of complexity. Long a regional mediator, Pakistan has maintained ties with both the U.S. and Iran, making it a neutral ground for indirect talks. Officials say the goal is to de-escalate tensions and prevent a broader conflict, especially as U.S. troops remain stationed across the Middle East.

For now, the ceasefire in Lebanon holds-on paper. But with military actions continuing and rhetoric escalating, the risk of collapse grows by the day. Diplomats warn that without mutual compliance and transparency, even the most carefully negotiated truces can unravel quickly. As one regional official put it, 'You can't build peace with one hand while destroying homes with the other.'