The Israeli military launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut on Sunday, escalating tensions just as the United States and Iran appeared close to a historic ceasefire agreement. Smoke rose over the Lebanese capital as residents fled, threatening to derail delicate negotiations led by Pakistan.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office justified the bombardment as retaliation for three projectiles fired into northern Israel by Hezbollah. However, the action directly contradicts President Donald Trump’s explicit instructions to halt heavy operations in Lebanon while diplomatic efforts conclude. Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that the strikes demonstrate America’s inability to enforce its commitments.
Despite the violence, Qatari mediators traveled to Tehran with cautious optimism that a deal could be finalized this week. The proposed framework aims to halt hostilities that have killed thousands and closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil markets. While the immediate fighting may cease, thorny issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program and frozen assets remain unresolved, scheduled for technical discussions over the next 60 days.
Trump asserted that enriched uranium would be destroyed once calm returns, though Iran currently holds nearly one ton of 60% enriched material. Critics within the Republican Party argue the deal offers little improvement over the 2015 nuclear accord that Trump previously withdrew from. As the G7 summit begins, attention turns to demining the Strait of Hormuz to restore energy flows.