Donald Trump has warned that the US will start “shooting” again unless Iran fully complies with what he called a “real agreement”, adding fresh uncertainty to already fragile ceasefire efforts in the Middle East.
The warning comes as the wider truce remains in serious doubt, with Israel continuing its assaults on Lebanon and Iran blocking oil tankers, according to the latest developments in the region.
Diplomatic pressure is also building over how any ceasefire deal should address Lebanon. The UK foreign minister, Yvette Cooper, said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. In separate remarks reported by Reuters, Cooper also said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free.
The comments follow discussions over whether vessels moving through the strategic waterway should face fees. Amid the ceasefire talks, Tehran has proposed charges or tolls on ships seeking safe passage through the strait. Trump on Wednesday suggested that the US and Iran could collect tolls together in a joint venture, while the White House said the priority was to reopen the strait without restrictions.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key flashpoint in the crisis because of its importance to international shipping and energy supplies. Any move to impose tolls or limit passage has raised concern among governments involved in the ceasefire process and among trading partners watching the situation closely.
At the same time, the conflict on the ground continues to complicate diplomacy. Israeli attacks in Lebanon have added to fears that any ceasefire arrangement could be undermined before it is properly established. The inclusion of Lebanon in the talks, as pressed by Cooper, reflects the growing view among some officials that a regional settlement cannot leave out one of the main theatres of the confrontation.
Trump’s comments underline the precarious state of the negotiations. His warning that the US could resume military action if Iran fails to comply suggests that Washington is seeking a more enforceable arrangement, even as details around the deal remain contested.
With ceasefire discussions still under strain, the immediate focus now appears to be on whether the parties can agree on terms that address both the fighting and the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. For now, the talks remain unsettled, and the risk of further escalation continues.
Separately, a line from earlier remarks highlighted the importance of legal and practical constraints on military involvement, with the statement that decisions were made not to get involved “without a lawful basis, without a viable, thought-through plan.”
As the situation develops, the combination of strikes in Lebanon, pressure on maritime routes and warnings from Washington has left the ceasefire effort in a delicate position.
