EditIsrael-Lebanon ceasefire agreement boosts hopes for Iran deal
However, observers express considerable scepticism that Netanyahu will fully adhere to constraints or allow the process to proceed smoothly
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire to halt ongoing hostilities, a move announced by the Trump administration that offers a potential lift to broader efforts aimed at ending the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The agreement, contingent on Hezbollah ceasing fire and withdrawing operatives from southern Lebanon, comes after weeks of flare-ups that have complicated diplomatic talks. Tehran had explicitly conditioned progress on any U.S.-Iran deal on an end to the fighting in Lebanon.
This development unfolded under significant pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been eager to de-escalate the conflict, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and ease rising energy prices. Reports indicate Trump engaged in a reportedly heated “hard talk” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he expressed strong frustration – including calling Netanyahu “crazy” and using expletives – over Israel’s continued military actions in Lebanon that were seen as jeopardizing negotiations with Iran.
Israel’s heavy-handed military campaign in Lebanon, marked by repeated airstrikes, ground incursions beyond the Litani River, and the demolition of border villages, has drawn sharp international criticism. Israeli forces have conducted hundreds of strikes, expanded operations past self-declared security zones, seized strategic sites like Beaufort Castle, and caused thousands of casualties along with massive displacement. According to reports of a heated phone call, Trump told Netanyahu that “everybody hates Israel because of this,” accusing him of jeopardizing broader diplomatic efforts with Iran through continued escalation against Hezbollah.
Ongoing hostilities and oil market reaction
Despite the ceasefire announcement, tensions persist. Iran launched attacks, including a strike that damaged Kuwait’s international airport and injured dozens, while the U.S. conducted defensive strikes on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices jumped nearly 2% as the vital waterway remains largely closed, disrupting global energy flows more than three months after the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began.
Scepticism over Netanyahu’s compliance
While the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire provides a diplomatic opening, analysts and observers express considerable scepticism that Netanyahu will fully adhere to constraints or allow the process to proceed smoothly. The Israeli leader has a track record of prioritising military pressure on Iran and its proxies, often appearing to escape meaningful external control even from Washington. Trump’s public acknowledgement of the tense call underscores growing U.S. impatience, yet questions remain about whether Netanyahu can – or will – be reined in long enough for a durable Iran deal to materialise.
Talks between Washington and Tehran remain at a stalemate. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said communication has not been cut off but no real progress has been made. Tehran continues to demand sanctions relief, access to oil revenues, and other concessions, while Trump has emphasised preventing a nuclear-armed Iran as his top priority.
The broader war has caused thousands of deaths, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and inflicted significant economic pain globally. Whether the latest ceasefire and Trump’s pressure on Netanyahu can translate into a genuine breakthrough remains highly uncertain, with many viewing Netanyahu’s compliance as a wildcard that continues to complicate U.S. strategy.
With Reuters
Caption: Mourners attend the funeral procession for members of a Lebanese family in Wardaniyeh, Lebanon, 3 June 2026. A displaced Lebanese family, parents Hassan Abdullah and Hanan Shehab, along with their children Leen, Ali, Ibrahim, and Julia, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Marwanieh, south Lebanon. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks across Lebanon have killed more than 3,500 people and injured more than 10,600 since renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah began in March 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Updated: June 4, 2026 - 06:53
