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Emerging Lebanon Rift
Lebanon quickly emerged as the central fault line in the US-Iran ceasefire.
“Any hope that Israel would immediately stop hitting targets in Lebanon appeared to be dashed”
Israel intensified its bombings despite the two-week truce agreed between Washington and Tehran.
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.
Israeli Strikes Kill Over 250 in Lebanon
Israel’s strikes on Lebanon were its most intense yet.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported at least 254 killed.
The strikes came despite simultaneous US-Iran efforts at de-escalation.
Trump and Netanyahu insisted that Israel was not party to the Iran deal.
Strait of Hormuz Blocked Again
Iran’s IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed.
“Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz stopped following an Israeli ceasefire violation in Lebanon”
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.
Peace Talks and Political Challenges
Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner were booked on a flight to Islamabad for peace talks.
Analysts cautioned the talks were delicate and vulnerable to collapse.
Trump called Iran’s 10-point peace proposal a workable basis.
The US had not significantly adjusted its core demands.