Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the ceasefire in the Iran war does not extend to Lebanon, a statement that came as Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel and diplomatic pressure continued to build over the wider regional conflict.
His remarks were reported shortly after Donald Trump told US media that he had asked Netanyahu to be more “low-key” amid the fragile ceasefire with Iran. The timing underlined the uneasy state of the truce, which has been complicated by fighting and political tension across the region.
The latest developments come against the backdrop of Israel’s bombing of Lebanon after the US-Iran ceasefire, an escalation that has drawn condemnation. The renewed violence has intensified concern that the agreement involving Iran could remain too narrow to ease broader hostilities.
UK says Lebanon must be included
UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. In comments reported by Reuters, Cooper also said that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free.
Her intervention reflects growing concern about the consequences of the conflict beyond direct fighting between Israel and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical maritime route, and any disruption or added cost there has implications for international shipping and regional stability.
Amid the ceasefire talks, Tehran has proposed fees or tolls on vessels passing safely through the strait. That idea has become another point of dispute in a situation already marked by military pressure and competing diplomatic messages.
Dispute over tolls and shipping
Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested that the US and Iran could collect tolls in a joint venture. The White House, however, said the priority was reopening the strait without limitations.
The differing messages highlight the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire and its practical effects. While the US has stressed the need to restore normal shipping conditions, Iranian proposals for tolls have added another layer of complexity to the talks.
The comments from Trump, the White House, and Iranian officials point to a broader struggle over how the ceasefire should be interpreted and enforced. Even as diplomatic efforts continue, the situation remains unsettled, with military action, shipping concerns, and regional security all tied together.
Lebanon’s role in the conflict has become increasingly important in that discussion. Cooper’s call for it to be included in any agreement suggests that separate arrangements focused only on Iran may not be enough to reduce the risk of further escalation.
Netanyahu’s assertion that the ceasefire does not cover Lebanon reinforces that divide. It also comes at a moment when Hezbollah’s rocket fire at Israel has heightened fears that the violence could spread further despite the ceasefire involving Iran.
The result is a tense and uncertain pause rather than a clear end to hostilities. With attacks continuing, warnings from Western officials, and disagreements over maritime access in the Strait of Hormuz, the path to a broader settlement remains unclear.
The latest statements suggest that the ceasefire has not yet brought a comprehensive easing of conflict in the Middle East. Instead, the focus has shifted to whether the truce can be expanded, how shipping routes will be protected, and whether Lebanon can be brought into any wider agreement.
