Trump Says Lebanon Not in US‑Iran Ceasefire
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- Trump told PBS that Lebanon was not included in the US‑Iran ceasefire because of Hezbollah, and that it will be addressed later.
- Karoline Leavitt echoed Trump’s comment, stating Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire and dismissing speculation about Israeli PM Netanyahu undermining the truce.
- Shehbaz Sharif announced on X that the US‑Iran truce covers the entire region, explicitly mentioning Lebanon.
- Abbas Arghchi shared Sharif’s post, warning that the US must choose between ceasefire or continued war via Israel, and that the world is watching if the US will act.
- Fars News Agency reported that oil tankers were suspended from the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, though Iranian officials have not confirmed the suspension.
- Iranian IRGC warned that fighting would resume if Israel does not stop its aggression against Lebanon, promising a "regretful response" to the aggressors.
- Israel launched a massive assault on Lebanon, killing at least 254 people and injuring more than 1,160, targeting residential areas, mosques, medical centres and a funeral.
Why it matters: The US's exclusion of Lebanon from the ceasefire threatens the fragile regional pause, giving Iran a pretext to suspend oil shipments and threaten retaliation, while Israeli strikes cause civilian deaths and pressure the US to honor its pledge. Stakeholders include the US, Iran, Lebanon, and Israel.
