Lebanon Becomes Central Rift as Israel Bombs Despite US-Iran Ceasefire

Lebanon quickly emerged as the central fault line in the US-Iran ceasefire.

“Are Israeli strikes on Lebanon affecting the negotiations between Iran and the United States”

BBC

Israel intensified its bombings despite the two-week truce agreed between Washington and Tehran.

BBC

Pakistani mediators said Lebanon was included, Iran insisted, but the White House contradicted that claim.

Vice President Vance said the Iranians thought the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t.

The British Foreign Secretary will insist Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire.

Israel’s strikes on Lebanon were its most intense yet.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported at least 254 killed.

CNBC

The strikes came despite simultaneous US-Iran efforts at de-escalation.

Trump and Netanyahu insisted that Israel was not party to the Iran deal.

Iran’s IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed.

“• Fragile ceasefire tested: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz stopped following what it said was an Israeli ceasefire violation in Lebanon”

CNN

The British Foreign Secretary condemned what she called an illegal blockade.

Iran reportedly planned to charge tolls in cryptocurrency.

The Strait typically handles roughly 20% of global oil.

Oil prices initially dropped but then began climbing again.

Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner were booked on a flight to Islamabad for peace talks.

Analysts cautioned the talks were delicate and vulnerable to collapse.

CNN Arabic

Trump called Iran’s 10-point peace proposal a workable basis.

The US had not significantly adjusted its core demands.