Donald Trump has warned Iran to comply with a “real agreement,” saying the US would start “shooting” again unless Tehran fully follows any deal. The warning came as hopes for a broader Middle East ceasefire were thrown into doubt by Israeli attacks on Lebanon and by renewed tensions over Iran’s role in blocking oil tankers.
The ceasefire process is increasingly fragile, with diplomacy unfolding alongside military pressure and mounting concern over shipping access in the Strait of Hormuz. The key waterway has become a central issue in the talks, with both security and trade implications for the region and beyond.
Lebanon pushed into ceasefire talks
UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. Her comments underline the widening scope of negotiations, as the conflict’s impact continues to spread beyond the main flashpoints.
Cooper also said that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free. Her remarks were reported by Reuters and came amid proposals from Tehran that vessels should pay fees or tolls in order to pass through the strait safely.
The question of access through the strait has become one of the most sensitive issues in the talks. Any restriction or charge on shipping would add another layer of pressure to an already volatile regional situation.
Dispute over the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s proposal for tolls on vessels has drawn scrutiny at the same time that the US and its allies are seeking to stabilise the route. On Wednesday, Trump suggested the US and Iran could collect tolls in a joint venture. The White House, however, said its priority was to reopen the strait without limitations.
The opposing positions highlight the gap between the parties as ceasefire discussions continue. While Washington has stressed unrestricted passage, Tehran has indicated a system of fees or tolls as part of safe transit arrangements.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy shipments, and any disruption there can quickly affect markets and regional security. The latest exchanges show how the ceasefire talks are now tied not only to military developments on the ground but also to control over major shipping lanes.
Ceasefire hopes remain uncertain
With Israeli assaults on Lebanon continuing and Iran adding further pressure at sea, the ceasefire is now in serious doubt. The evolving situation has left diplomats trying to keep negotiations alive while violence and strategic rivalries intensify.
Trump’s warning added to the uncertainty, signalling that the US position remains conditional and that any agreement would need to be fully observed. The White House’s emphasis on reopening the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions also suggests that maritime access will remain a major sticking point.
Separate comments from Cooper point to the broader challenge facing negotiators: any lasting truce would need to account for Lebanon, shipping security, and the wider regional consequences of the conflict. For now, the talks continue under severe strain, with little sign that the main parties are close to bridging their differences.
The latest developments suggest that the ceasefire process is being shaped as much by maritime control and regional spillover as by direct battlefield events. With Lebanon now explicitly called into the talks and the Strait of Hormuz under dispute, the prospects for a durable agreement remain uncertain.
