Donald Trump has warned that Iran must comply with what he called a “real agreement,” as the already fragile Middle East ceasefire came under renewed strain from Israeli attacks on Lebanon and disputes over access to the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president said the US would start “shooting” again unless Iran fully complies with the deal, sharpening the pressure on Tehran at a moment when diplomatic efforts remain unsettled. The comments added to concerns that the ceasefire could unravel if key parties fail to agree on the terms of implementation.
Separately, the United Kingdom’s foreign minister, Yvette Cooper, said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. In remarks also reported by Reuters, Cooper said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free.
Concerns over the Strait of Hormuz
The strait remains a major flashpoint in the wider crisis. Amid the ceasefire talks, Tehran has proposed fees or tolls on vessels seeking safe passage through the waterway. That suggestion has drawn attention because of the strategic importance of the route for global shipping and energy supplies.
Trump on Wednesday said the US and Iran could potentially collect tolls through a joint venture. The White House, however, said the priority was to reopen the strait without limitations. The competing positions underline how the shipping route has become tied to the broader negotiations and to the future shape of any ceasefire arrangement.
The discussion over the strait comes as regional tensions remain high and diplomatic statements continue to conflict. While some parties are focused on securing a halt in fighting, others are seeking assurances over movement through the waterway and the terms under which vessels can pass safely.
Lebanon’s role in ceasefire talks
Cooper’s intervention placed Lebanon firmly within the ceasefire debate. Her remarks reflected the view that any agreement limited to one front would be incomplete, particularly while Israeli assaults on Lebanon continue to affect the wider regional balance.
The issue is significant because the conflict has not been confined to a single arena. As negotiations continue, the inclusion of Lebanon appears to be one of the key questions shaping whether the ceasefire can hold in practice.
Trump’s warning to Iran, combined with the uncertainty around shipping and the fighting in Lebanon, has left the ceasefire in serious doubt. The latest exchanges suggest that, even where talks are continuing, agreement on enforcement, geography and access remains unresolved.
The situation remains fluid, with the US, Iran, the UK and regional actors all making statements that point in different directions. For now, the ceasefire appears vulnerable to further escalation if the disputes over compliance, tolls and territorial scope are not settled soon.
As the crisis develops, the central question is whether the parties can move beyond threats and proposals to a framework that can be enforced. Until then, the combination of military action, diplomatic pressure and disagreement over the Strait of Hormuz continues to cast doubt over the prospects for a durable ceasefire.
