On Friday, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was renewed after a deadly 24-hour flare-up that killed 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers. The violence threatened to unravel a landmark interim peace deal between the US and Iran that was signed just two days earlier.
The US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) includes a commitment to end hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is an Iranian-backed militant group. The deal opened a 60-day window for negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and the resumption of oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. But almost immediately, clashes on the ground tested its viability. Hezbollah ambushed an Israeli group in southern Lebanon, and Israel carried out retaliatory airstrikes in the Bekaa valley and other areas. Rescue officials in Nabatieh reported at least 12 air strikes after the renewed ceasefire was supposed to begin at 16:00 local time.
“Explains the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and its link to the US-Iran deal.”
The MoU was signed on Wednesday, with the US and Iran agreeing to a 60-day pause in their broader conflict. Under the terms, both sides must cease military operations, including those by allies. Israel, which was not directly party to the talks, has insisted it is not bound by the agreement. That has created a loophole that critics say Netanyahu can exploit. US intelligence officials have expressed concern that Netanyahu's political survival depends on showing his domestic audience he will not withdraw troops from Lebanon, according to the Washington Post. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any breach of the commitments will be attributed to the US.
For UK readers, the ceasefire matters because the wider US-Iran deal directly affects global energy prices and economic stability. The conflict has already sent energy prices soaring and threatened global economic chaos. The UK, like many European countries, relies on stable oil markets and a reduced risk of regional conflict. A collapse of the deal could lead to further disruption in the Middle East, with potential knock-on effects for trade, migration, and security.
Q: What is the US-Iran interim deal? The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed this week requires the US, Iran and their allies to immediately end all military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. It opens a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent arrangement on Iran's nuclear programme and restart oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The deal does not give Iran any direct financial relief.
Q: Why did the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah break down? The ceasefire unravelled when Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers in Lebanon. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes that killed at least 47 people, according to Lebanese officials. The violence was the first major test of the US-Iran deal, and it prompted the cancellation of scheduled talks between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland.
Q: What role did Donald Trump play in restoring the ceasefire? Trump reportedly told Israel to agree to the renewed ceasefire, telling NBC News, "You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head." He also defended the MoU against criticism, saying the US did not negotiate out of desperation and that Iran "are FINISHED." The US president instructed Israel to accept the ceasefire on Friday.
What happens next remains uncertain. The renewed ceasefire is fragile, with Israel's military saying it will "continue to remove immediate threats." Negotiations between the US and Iran, originally scheduled for Friday in the Swiss village of Obbürgen, were postponed after the violence. Vice President JD Vance had been expected to lead the US team but pulled out. It is unclear whether talks will resume in the coming days. The 60-day window for a permanent agreement is ticking, and both sides face pressure from hardliners who oppose any compromise.