TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Talks have been paused between the U.S. and Iran just days after the two sides initially agreed to end the war. Thursday night, Iran said it wasn’t sending negotiators to Switzerland for talks, citing Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon. Friday, Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah agreed to a new ceasefire, but it’s still unclear when talks between the United States and Iran will restart.

There’s a large Arab American community in the Tampa Bay area, and many of them are impacted everyday by the decisions being made in this war.

Strait of Hormuz feels tense and uncertain as peace deal takes hold

Kaseem Nabaj prepared for the World Cup crowd Friday night. He’s expecting people with different backgrounds to show unity at his Temple Terrace restaurant Phoenix. All while his home back in Lebanon remains a site of war.

“It’s kind of weird when we were watching the game, but at the same time, there’s the news playing on your phone like the games on the big screen, but the news is on, especially with critical moments,” Nabaj said.

There were supposed to be talks of peace between Iran and the U.S., but deadly Israeli attacks in Lebanon caused a delay.

“And now we have an agreement that was signed last night. And it’s 60 days, have to make a deal otherwise we will do things that won’t make them happy. But I don’t think it’s going to get to that. I think it is going to be very good,” said President Donald Trump during a press conference Friday.

Nabaj said the strikes are impacting his family.

“I have some employees of mine whose uncle had passed unfortunately today. Also, the school where my wife is from, there got bombed also,” he said.

He said he wishes the U.S. would contribute more to keep the peace, considering the many lives lost, and the lives still at risk and his family’s home.

“If anybody has the strength and has the power to do it, it would be the U.S. But it’s kind of, you know, that’s a real decision that needs to be made, right?” he said.

He said it’s a game they’ve learned to keep watching, though it feels like no one ever wins.

“On one hand, we’re like, yeah, it’s over, but on the other hand, we’re like, well, it’s not,” Nabaj said.

The State Department said more Israeli-Lebanese talks toward peace in Lebanon will happen sometime next week in Washington.

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