Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire linked to the Iran conflict does not cover Lebanon, sharpening concerns that the broader regional crisis could continue even as efforts intensify to contain it.
The remarks came shortly after Donald Trump told US media that he had asked Netanyahu to be more “low-key” as the Iran ceasefire remained shaky. The comments added to the sense of uncertainty surrounding the truce and the wider conflict in the Middle East.
At the same time, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel, underscoring how quickly violence can spread beyond the immediate focus of the Iran ceasefire. Israel has also been bombing Lebanon, prompting condemnation and renewed calls for any ceasefire arrangement to include the country.
Pressure to widen the ceasefire
UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. In comments also reported by Reuters, Cooper added that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free.
The issue of maritime access has become part of the wider diplomatic discussion. Tehran has proposed fees or tolls on vessels seeking safe passage through the strait, a vital waterway for international shipping. 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 reopening the strait without limitations.
The competing positions reflect the tension between securing shipping lanes and avoiding new obstacles during a period of fragile de-escalation. The Strait of Hormuz remains a strategic flashpoint, and any move to impose tolls would be closely watched by governments and markets alike.
Regional conflict remains unstable
Netanyahu’s statement that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon suggests Israel is not treating the truce as a blanket arrangement across the region. That position leaves open the possibility of continued military action in Lebanon, even as international leaders push for a broader pause in hostilities.
The situation has also drawn attention to the conditions under which the United States and Israel are coordinating their response. Trump’s comments about asking Netanyahu to stay “low-key” implied concern that public escalation could complicate the ceasefire effort or increase political pressure around it.
Meanwhile, Cooper’s remarks show that Britain is pushing for a wider diplomatic framework. Her insistence that Lebanon be included in any ceasefire points to fears that a narrow agreement could fail to prevent further violence beyond Iran.
With Hezbollah firing rockets, Israel striking Lebanon, and debates continuing over the future of the Strait of Hormuz, the crisis remains unsettled. The ceasefire tied to Iran may have slowed one front, but the surrounding conflict shows no sign of fully easing.
As talks continue, the key question is whether the current truce can be expanded into something that covers more of the region, or whether fighting in Lebanon and tensions over maritime access will keep the crisis alive.
