Israel-Hezbollah fighting casts cloud over prospects for U.S.-Iran peace deal

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Intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, is complicating diplomatic efforts to negotiate a peace deal between the United States and Iran. The escalating conflict raises questions about whether Washington and Tehran can reach an agreement while hostilities continue unabated in the Middle East. U.S. officials are attempting to broker a settlement that would address broader regional tensions, but the ongoing military clashes suggest deep obstacles remain. The timing is precarious: diplomats are working to finalize terms even as explosions and airstrikes reshape the ground situation. It's unclear how much leverage either side retains or whether a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah might emerge as a precondition for nuclear talks.