Donald Trump has said talks with Iran could resume “over the next two days,” adding that the US is “inclined” to go to Pakistan for further discussions. The comments came as Lebanon and Israel entered direct negotiations in Washington, marking the first such talks between the two governments since the 1990s.
The developments come amid a fast-moving regional crisis that has also seen the US begin a naval blockade of Iranian ports after a deadline passed. With tensions rising around the Strait of Hormuz, governments across the region and beyond are assessing the wider impact on energy markets, shipping and supply chains.
South Korea warns of prolonged disruption
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday that the situation around the Strait of Hormuz makes it difficult to feel optimistic about the fallout from the Iran war. He warned that high oil prices and pressure on supply chains are likely to persist for some time.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Lee said the government should assume there will be prolonged disruption in global energy and raw materials markets and strengthen its emergency response system.
He added that the difficulties facing global energy and raw materials supply chains, along with high oil prices, are expected to continue. He called for the development of alternative supply chains, medium- to long-term industrial restructuring, and a transition to a post-plastic economy as national strategic priorities.
Historic talks between Lebanon and Israel
The direct talks between Lebanon and Israel are notable because the two countries have been at war in some form since the early 1980s. They do not have diplomatic relations, and Lebanese rules bar entry to anyone carrying an Israeli stamp in their passport.
That is why the fact that the negotiations are taking place directly between the two governments is considered striking. The meetings in Washington represent a rare diplomatic step in a relationship defined by conflict and the absence of formal ties.
The talks come as pressure continues to build across the wider Middle East, with multiple flashpoints adding to fears of further escalation. The combination of Iranian tensions, the blockade of ports and the opening of direct Lebanon-Israel discussions has created an unusually volatile diplomatic picture.
What happens next
Trump’s remarks suggest the possibility of further US-Iran engagement in the near term, although the choice of Pakistan as a venue remains only a reported indication of where talks could continue. At the same time, the direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel will be closely watched for signs of whether the sides can make any progress despite their long history of hostility.
With energy security already under strain, leaders in Asia and elsewhere are bracing for longer-lasting consequences if the standoff around the Strait of Hormuz continues. For now, officials appear to be preparing for a period in which disruption to oil markets and supply chains remains a central concern.
