Draft US-Iran negotiations aimed at easing tensions in West Asia have reportedly expanded beyond nuclear and sanctions issues to include a potential framework for ending the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, according to a report published by Axios on Saturday. The development comes as regional diplomacy intensifies amid fears of a wider war stretching from Gaza and southern Lebanon to the Persian Gulf.
The reported draft memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran includes provisions designed to halt military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah while preserving Israel’s ability to respond if the Lebanese group attempts to rearm or launch attacks in the future.
According to Axios, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised concerns about the proposal during a phone call with US President Donald Trump. The report cited both a US official and an Israeli official familiar with the discussions. While Netanyahu reportedly objected to aspects of the framework, the discussion was described as “respectful and civil.”
The emerging details suggest the talks represent one of the broadest diplomatic initiatives between the US and Iran in years, moving beyond the stalled nuclear program into regional security arrangements involving Lebanon, Israel, maritime trade routes, and armed groups aligned with Tehran across West Asia.
The proposal reportedly does not envision what officials called a “unilateral ceasefire.” Instead, the framework would allegedly permit Israel to continue taking military or intelligence measures if Hezbollah were found attempting to rebuild offensive capabilities or prepare attacks.
The inclusion of Hezbollah in the negotiations signals the extent to which the conflict in southern Lebanon has become inseparable from broader regional tensions. Since the eruption of the Gaza war in 2023, cross-border clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have repeatedly threatened to spiral into a full-scale regional war. Thousands of civilians on both sides of the border have been displaced, while Israel strikes continue periodically despite international mediation efforts.
Iran has long maintained political and military ties with Hezbollah, which it describes as part of the regional “Axis of Resistance.” Western governments and Israel, meanwhile, accuse Tehran of supplying the group with advanced weaponry and logistical support. Tehran has repeatedly denied direct involvement in attacks launched against Israel from Lebanon, while warning against any wider military escalation targeting Iran or its allies.
The reported memorandum also arrives at a moment of renewed diplomatic activity surrounding Iran’s sanctions regime. Multiple reports in recent days have indicated that Washington and Tehran have explored temporary arrangements linked to maritime security and regional de-escalation.
Reuters reported that discussions tied to a proposed 60-day framework included issues connected to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important oil shipping lanes.
Any breakthrough involving Lebanon would likely have major geopolitical implications across the Middle East. Hezbollah remains one of the most heavily armed non-state groups in the region, and Israeli officials have repeatedly warned that the movement’s missile arsenal poses a direct strategic threat to Israel’s northern territories.
Netanyahu’s reported concerns underscore the political sensitivity surrounding any arrangement perceived inside Israel as limiting military freedom of action. Israeli officials have consistently insisted that Hezbollah must withdraw fighters and military infrastructure away from the Israeli-Lebanese border in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions adopted after the 2006 Lebanon war.
At the same time, Washington faces growing pressure to prevent a broader regional conflict that could destabilize energy markets and pull additional countries into direct confrontation. Diplomatic channels involving Qatar, Oman, Egypt, and several Gulf states have remained active throughout the ongoing regional crises, with multiple actors attempting to mediate between Tehran, Washington, and regional armed groups.
The latest reports may also fuel speculation that Washington is attempting to pursue a phased regional stabilization strategy, beginning with limited ceasefire talks before tackling larger disputes connected to sanctions, nuclear enrichment, and regional military deployments.
Neither the White House nor Iranian officials have publicly confirmed the full details of the reported memorandum. Hezbollah has also not officially commented on the Axios report as of Saturday morning.
Still, the emergence of the proposal highlights how rapidly the diplomatic landscape surrounding Iran and Israel may be shifting behind closed doors. The possibility that negotiations now include conditions related to Hezbollah suggests the discussions are no longer confined to technical nuclear matters but increasingly tied to the broader balance of power across West Asia.
The timing is particularly significant as fighting in Gaza continues to inflame tensions throughout the region. Israeli military operations in Gaza and repeated exchanges along the Lebanese border have increased fears of a multi-front war involving Hezbollah, Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, and potentially Iran itself.
Analysts have warned for months that any direct confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah could produce devastating consequences for Lebanon, Israel, and neighboring states. Hezbollah’s military capabilities have expanded considerably since the 2006 war, while Israel has signaled it would respond to any major escalation with overwhelming force.
The reported US-Iran draft memorandum therefore represents not only a diplomatic effort surrounding Tehran’s nuclear file but also a possible attempt to redraw the regional security environment before another major war erupts.
Whether the framework advances remains uncertain. Deep mistrust continues to define relations between Washington and Tehran, while Israeli political leaders remain sharply divided over how to handle both Hezbollah and Iran amid continuing regional instability.
Nevertheless, the reports indicate that behind-the-scenes ongoing negotiations involving the US, Iran, Israel, and regional intermediaries are continuing at a moment when the risk of broader conflict remains exceptionally high across the Middle East.
