LevantTime .

On Friday, Iran had still not met American conditions for resuming negotiations with Washington, which is displaying cautious optimism about a possible breakthrough. Global stock markets were indeed trading in the green during the day, buoyed by hope sustained by the diplomatic pressure being exerted to reach a statement of intent that would serve as a basis for resuming Iranian-American talks. Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, is expected in Tehran for talks with senior officials, according to Iran's official news agency, IRNA. Reuters reported the presence of a Qatari delegation in Iran as part of a mission conducted in coordination with Washington, while the Axios website indicates that Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey are also involved in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The diplomatic maneuvering aimed at ending the war between the United States and Iran continues with the visit to Tehran of a new senior Pakistani official, mediator of the discussions. Between statements from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who claimed that "progress had been made," and those from Iran's Foreign Ministry, according to which "negotiations currently focus on ending the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon," a certain optimism seemed to be emerging after a series of explosive messages exchanged by both sides. But information published Thursday by the Reuters agency concerning Iranian nuclear matters, as well as a hardening of the Revolutionary Guards' position on the Strait of Hormuz, came to sweep away this diplomatic lull.

South Lebanon witnessed another escalation Tuesday night and again Wednesday, while at the regional level, Pakistan continues to quietly work to try to defuse a conflict that threatens to spiral out of control at any moment, given the exchange of threats between Washington and Tehran. The Israeli military conducted a series of deadly airstrikes and artillery attacks over the past twenty-four hours against numerous Hezbollah positions and infrastructure in villages and sites in southern Lebanon. According to the latest toll released by the Lebanese Ministry of Health, these attacks killed at least 20 people over the past 24 hours, including 13 alone in the village of Deir Qanoun el-Nahr.

After announcing on Monday that he had canceled a planned attack on Iran at the last minute, which was scheduled for the following day, US President Donald Trump threatened again on Tuesday to strike Iran if no agreement was reached. For its part, the Iranian military responded by threatening Washington to open "new fronts" if their attacks resume. From the White House, where he was showing journalists the construction site of the East Wing of the presidential headquarters, Trump reiterated that he hoped he would not have to wage war. "But we might have to give them another big blow. I'm not sure right now," he said.

Iran responded Monday to a new U.S. proposal aimed at breaking the diplomatic deadlock and bringing a lasting end to the war in the Middle East, its Foreign Ministry said, adding that exchanges with Washington were continuing "through the Pakistani mediator". Iran reiterated its demands on Monday, particularly calling for the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad and the lifting of international sanctions suffocating its economy. The spokesman also insisted on the payment of reparations for the war, which he described as "illegal and baseless". On Sunday, Iranian media denounced the "excessive conditions" imposed by the United States in its latest offer. According to the Fars agency, they demand that Iran maintain only a single active nuclear site and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.

Between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the statements reflected a positive atmosphere, but the underlying realities of this summit between giants should become clearer over time. Iran, for its part, continues its provocations. Between Lebanon and Israel, an extension of the truce and future military cooperation. This week was marked by crucial talks whose repercussions will be felt during the next phase. From the very beginning of the week, attention was focused on preparations for the US-China summit in Beijing and the third round of negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli delegations in Washington.

A relatively calm weekend beginning on both the Lebanese and regional fronts, with the exception of ongoing military operations in South Lebanon and certain sectors of the Bekaa. This Sunday, May 17, should formally mark the start of the extended ceasefire, lasting 45 days, decided Friday during the third round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations held Thursday and Friday in Washington under the auspices of the State Department. Even if Israel officially gives its approval for this new ceasefire (it could hardly refuse), nothing suggests that Israeli air strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure or the elimination of pro-Iranian party officials through targeted air raids will be suspended.

An unprecedented Lebanese initiative practically stole the spotlight locally on Wednesday from two major events: the resumption of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations in Washington and the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing. On the eve of these two crucial meetings due to their impact on the regional conflict, Beirut submitted a memorandum to the UN in which it challenges claims made by Tehran to protest to the UN Security Council against the Israeli strike that killed four of its diplomats at the Ramada Hotel in Raouché last March. In this memorandum, Lebanese diplomacy criticizes the Islamic Republic, accusing it of violating the Geneva Convention on diplomatic relations and interfering in Lebanese internal affairs, according to Independent Arabia, which reported on it.

The past week in the Middle East was marked by maintaining a fragile balance while waiting for a major event in the next one: U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China. The world's second superpower has yet to have its say in the conflict between its ally and one of its main energy suppliers, Iran, against its primary global rival. In any case, another ally—that of the Americans—once again made headlines: the Israeli prime minister ruled that the 'war is not over' as long as there are 'still nuclear materials—enriched uranium—that must be removed from Iran' and 'enrichment sites to dismantle,' Benjamin Netanyahu told American broadcaster CBS.

Saturday in Lebanon was marked by the visit of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to Damascus, where he was received by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. This visit is particularly significant in the current circumstances for several reasons: firstly, the outstanding issues between the two countries, such as border security, the resolution of the issue of Syrian prisoners in Lebanon, and others; secondly, the Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon, even as Israeli incursions into southern Syria have taken place in recent months; and finally, the context of the direct negotiations process between Lebanon and Israel, initiated by the Lebanese authorities and sponsored by Washington, within which Lebanon would benefit from expanding its contacts in the region.