War in the Middle East: Donald Trump says United States are negotiating with Iran, Israel wants to take the con

French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken with Israeli and Iranian presidents, calling on Iran to “engage in good faith negotiations”.

Published on 24/03/2026 at 23:45

Reading time: 6min

The war continues in the Middle East. On Tuesday, March 24, Israel expressed its intention to take military control of a large border area in southern Lebanon. Donald Trump stated that the United States is negotiating with Iran, while Emmanuel Macron, after speaking with the Israeli and Iranian presidents, urged Iran to engage in negotiations in good faith. Tehran also announced that “non-hostile ships” can again traverse the Strait of Hormuz, closed since the beginning of the conflict. Here are the key events of Tuesday, March 24.

Israel aims to take military control of a large border area in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army plans to seize a zone in southern Lebanon extending from the border to the Litani River, about thirty kilometers to the north, to ensure its security, announced Defense Minister Israel Katz. The Israeli forces are “maneuvering inside Lebanese territory to seize an advanced defense line,” Israel Katz said in a video released by his office. He added that five bridges “used by Hezbollah” had been bombed on the river and that the army “will control the remaining points.” The Defense Minister also stated that the army is intervening to take control of Lebanese villages near the border, which it considers “true terrorist outposts.” France has urged Israel to “refrain” from taking control of southern Lebanon.

Donald Trump claims that the United States is currently negotiating with Iran

“We are currently in negotiations” with Iran, said Donald Trump, specifying that his envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are participating in these discussions. The American president also assured that Tehran had offered the United States “a very big gift” related to hydrocarbons, without providing details. At the same time, the White House stated that American operations against Iran continue “unrelentingly.”

Iran says “non-hostile ships” can pass through the Strait of Hormuz

“Non-hostile ships (…) can, provided they do not engage in acts of aggression against Iran or support them and fully comply with the applicable safety and security rules, benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent authorities,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s statement transmitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) stated. The IMO clarified that this document, dated Sunday, was issued with the request for dissemination by the IMO, which communicated it to its member states and NGOs.

Iranian nuclear power plant hit by a strike

The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization stated that the Bushehr nuclear power plant had been hit by a strike, which caused no damage. It accused the United States and Israel of being behind it. “While the American-Zionist enemy continues its hostilities (…), a projectile struck inside the enclosure of the Bushehr plant,” the organization reported, stating that no “material or technical damage, nor any human casualties” had been reported at this stage. Shortly after, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for “maximum restraint to avoid any risk to nuclear safety in a conflict period.” The Bushehr civilian nuclear power plant in southern Iran had already been struck last week by a “projectile,” which caused no damage to the infrastructure or injuries, according to the IAEA.

Emmanuel Macron discusses with Israeli and Iranian presidents

The French President discussed “the urgency to prevent a new escalation of conflict in Lebanon” in a phone call with Isaac Herzog, as Israel aims to take military control of a large border area in southern Lebanon. “I assured him of France’s full solidarity with the Israeli people against the daily attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, which it is the target of. These attacks must stop immediately,” the Head of State also wrote. Later, Macron called on Iran to “engage in good faith negotiations” for a “de-escalation” of the conflict after speaking with his Iranian counterpart Massoud Pezeshkian.

French Economy Minister mentions “a new oil shock”

The war in the Middle East is causing “a new oil shock” that could weigh on France’s economic growth, stated French Economy Minister Roland Lescure in the National Assembly. “The assumption of a temporary crisis, with economic consequences that would fade with the end of the bombings, is unfortunately no longer relevant,” he said before the Assembly’s Finance Committee.