Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese territory have directly undermined a two-week US-Iran ceasefire agreement, prompting Iran to reclose the critical Strait of Hormuz hours after reopening it under the terms of the temporary truce.
The attacks, described as Israel’s heaviest strikes in Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah escalated last month, targeted over 100 Hezbollah command centers and military sites across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “our finger is on the trigger” and this was “not the end of the war.”
Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has raised immediate concerns about global oil shipments and the integrity of the ceasefire. White House officials have disputed reports of the closure, asserting the strait remains open, but Iranian state media reported the closure followed Israel’s bombardment.
President Donald Trump announced the two-week ceasefire agreement on social media, expressing confidence in a “double-sided ceasefire” that would lead to long-term peace with Iran and the Middle East. However, the Israeli military confirmed it would continue operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon under the terms of the agreement.
The United States’ former National Counterterrorism Director, Joe Kent, resigned his position following the attack on Iran and warned that Israel must be restrained to prevent further escalation. Kent emphasized that the U.S. must “remove enough military capability from Israel” to ensure compliance with ceasefire agreements, noting Israel’s historical pattern of undermining such deals.
Iranian mediators have indicated that their participation in upcoming negotiations depends on a comprehensive ceasefire that includes Lebanon. They also warned that Iran would continue attacking Israel and other nations if Israeli shelling of Lebanon persists.
The latest strikes have killed at least 112 people and injured hundreds, according to available reports. With the Strait of Hormuz now closed, global energy markets face significant disruption.