Donald Trump has said talks with Iran could resume “over the next two days”, saying the US is “inclined” to go to Pakistan for more discussions. The remarks came as Lebanon and Israel entered direct negotiations in Washington, a rare diplomatic step that marks the first such talks between the two sides since the 1990s.
At the same time, the US has started a naval blockade of Iranian ports after a deadline passed, further intensifying tensions in the region. The crisis has widened concerns about energy markets and global supply chains, with South Korea warning that the fallout could be prolonged.
South Korea warns of lasting economic pressure
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday that the situation around the Strait of Hormuz makes it difficult to be optimistic about the consequences of the Iran war. He warned that high oil prices and supply-chain disruption are likely to persist.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Lee said the government should assume that global energy and raw materials markets will remain under strain and strengthen its emergency response system.
He added that “For the time being, difficulties in global energy and raw materials supply chains and high oil prices will continue … I ask that we pursue the development of alternative supply chains, medium- to long-term industrial restructuring, and the transition to a post-plastic economy as top-priority national strategic projects.”
The comments reflect growing concern that disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could affect oil shipments and ripple through manufacturing and trade. Lee said the government should treat prolonged instability as a given rather than a temporary shock.
Lebanon and Israel begin direct talks
In a striking diplomatic development, Lebanon and Israel have entered direct negotiations in Washington. The two countries have been at war in some form since the early 1980s and do not have diplomatic relations.
That history makes the talks especially significant. Lebanon does not allow entry to people with Israeli stamps in their passports, underscoring how unusual it is for representatives of the two governments to meet directly.
Observers described the move as extraordinary because direct government-to-government discussions between Lebanon and Israel have not taken place since the 1990s. The talks come amid a broader regional crisis and growing international pressure to limit escalation.
Israel and Lebanon have long been separated by conflict, political hostility and the absence of formal ties. Against that backdrop, the start of direct negotiations in Washington stands out as one of the most notable diplomatic shifts in years.
Wider regional tensions remain high
The developments follow a series of escalating moves across the region, including the US blockade of Iranian ports and the continuing strain around the Strait of Hormuz. The stakes are not only military and political but also economic, with governments bracing for effects on oil prices, trade routes and industrial supply chains.
For now, officials and markets appear to be preparing for a drawn-out period of uncertainty. South Korea’s warning suggests that even if talks resume, the economic consequences of the crisis may linger well beyond any immediate diplomatic breakthrough.
Trump’s comments about returning to talks within the next two days added to expectations that back-channel diplomacy may continue despite the growing confrontation. Whether those efforts will ease pressure remains unclear, but the combination of direct Lebanon-Israel negotiations and renewed Iran discussions points to fast-moving diplomatic activity across the region.
