Israeli defense officials believe Tehran is using Washington’s reluctance to resume military action to improve its negotiating position.

President Donald Trump on Friday said Iranian leaders have not yet reached a deal with the U.S. to end the ongoing war because they’re “strong” and “proud.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun delivered a searing rebuke to Iran on Friday, accusing it of using his country as a bargaining chip against the wishes of the Lebanese people in the conflict with the United States and Israel.

Trump’s remarks come after Iranian state media reported that Tehran was poised to suspend negotiations in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, and as the U.S. and Iran exchanged strikes that underscored the fragility of the cease-fire.

The U.S. and Iran have made little progress in talks over an interim peace deal this week, with the sides seeing their worst clashes since an April ceasefire began and fighting continuing in Lebanon.

The fate of Iran’s stockpile is among the biggest uncertainties surrounding a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran.

The House voted to curb Trump's war powers in Iran after Democrats and several Republicans bucked the president in a rare bipartisan rebuke of his policy.

Oil prices would spike if Iran's Houthi allies started attacking ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.