Trump offers to speak with Hezbollah as US-Iran conflict widens

US President expresses willingness to talk to Hezbollah if Lebanese President Aoun asks, while air defenses activate in Tehran and Kuwait.

Trump offers to speak with Hezbollah as US-Iran conflict widens — US President Donald Trump expressed on Tuesday his willingness to speak with Hezbollah if Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asks him to.[^1] "Many think I shouldn't talk to some parties, but I do, and if President Aoun wants me to talk to Hezbollah, I will," Trump said.[^1] The offer comes as the US military campaign against Iran escalates: Israeli officials believe Trump is preparing to significantly escalate the campaign, likely prompting Tehran to retaliate directly against Israel.[^2] Iran's Nournews agency reported that air defense systems in Tehran were activated against 'hostile targets' on July 22, 2026.[^3] Meanwhile, Kuwait's General Staff announced that the country's air defense systems are actively intercepting UAVs and missiles launched from Iranian territory.[^4] The widening theater of operations suggests the conflict is no longer confined to Iran's borders. Trump has publicly announced an imminent strike on a secret Iranian facility. He said the US will hit the Pickaxe Mountain area near Iran's damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility 'pretty soon.'[^5] Israeli intelligence has detected that Iran moved about 440 kg of highly enriched uranium and thousands of centrifuges to the Picax Mountain spaceport after the end of the 12-day Israeli-Iranian conflict in June 2025.[^6] Trump warned Tehran it had 'not seen anything yet.'[^5] A source said the chances of a diplomatic solution are 'virtually nonexistent.'[^2] Newly sworn-in British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved the use of British bases for US military attacks against Iran, according to a Bloomberg report published on Tuesday.[^7] The UK's authorization adds a new dimension to the coalition arrayed against Iran, even as Trump simultaneously dangles dialogue with Hezbollah—a group that fought Israel in the recent conflict. Trump told Aoun that Tehran was 'desperate' to hold talks.[^1] The question is whether the offer to speak with Hezbollah is a diplomatic off-ramp or a tactical feint. IDF on multiple fronts: Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran readiness — IDF forces fired warning shots into the air near Zoutar al-Gharbiya today af