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Fragile USIran Ceasefire Strained as Israel Pounds Lebanon and Iran Sets Hormuz Rules

A short pause tied to reopening a vital oil chokepoint now hinges on talks in Pakistan.

Overview

  • A two-week truce announced Wednesday by Washington and Tehran was followed by large Israeli strikes in Lebanon that Lebanese officials say killed between 182 and 254 people and wounded hundreds more.
  • Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel early Thursday, saying Israel broke the truce, as the UN warned the bombardment puts the pause at grave risk.
  • Iran’s Revolutionary Guard directed ships to use two coastal routes through the Strait of Hormuz because of possible mines, asserting coordination of passage through a channel that carries about a fifth of the world’s oil.
  • Donald Trump said Thursday that U.S. forces will remain in and around Iran until a “real” agreement is in place, with Pakistan preparing talks in Islamabad to host a U.S. delegation led by Vice President J.D. Vance.
  • Authorities in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain reported Iranian missile and drone attacks Wednesday that damaged energy and infrastructure sites, underscoring disputes over what the ceasefire actually covers.