US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of mishandling traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that its actions are “not the agreement we have” and exposing fresh cracks in the already fragile ceasefire framework.
Trump’s remarks come amid reports of conflicting interpretations of the deal, particularly over whether restrictions or controls on the strategic waterway were ever part of the understanding. He also cautioned against any attempt by Iran to impose fees on tankers passing through the route, which carries roughly 20% of global oil and LNG supplies.
The tensions unfolded alongside a sharp escalation on another front. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled the start of direct talks with Lebanon, focusing on disarming Hezbollah and exploring a path to normalised relations.
Despite diplomatic moves, the ground situation remains volatile. Israel launched an intense wave of air strikes across Lebanon, hitting more than 100 targets within minutes, while continuing operations against what it described as Hezbollah launch sites. Netanyahu maintained that “there is no ceasefire in Lebanon,” underlining the disconnect between diplomatic messaging and military action.
Trump, however, indicated that Israel may scale back its operations to support negotiations, saying he had urged Netanyahu to “low-key it” following a direct conversation.
The strikes have had severe humanitarian consequences. According to World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, evacuation warnings in Beirut’s southern suburbs have put major hospitals at risk, with hundreds of patients—including those in intensive care—unable to be moved.
Confusion over the scope of the ceasefire has further complicated matters. While Iranian officials and some mediators suggested Lebanon was included in the arrangement, US and Israeli officials have denied this, deepening mistrust. In response to continued Israeli strikes, Iran has accused Israel of violating the truce and has again threatened to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
On the ground, Lebanon is struggling to assert control. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has ordered security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions, while President Joseph Aoun reiterated that a ceasefire remains the only viable path forward.
Yet, questions persist over how much authority the Lebanese state can exercise over Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed force that operates independently despite its political presence.
As diplomacy inches forward, the situation remains precarious—caught between contested ceasefire terms, ongoing military action, and unresolved questions over control of one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
Also Read: Hormuz Uncertainty Looms Over Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire, Alarming Gulf States https://www.vibesofindia.com/hormuz-uncertainty-looms-over-fragile-us-iran-ceasefire-alarming-gulf-states/
