Iran Warns Israeli Attacks Threaten US Ceasefire

Iran has warned that Israeli military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon could shatter its ceasefire agreement with the United States. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated this principle clearly. He said the deal with the US was a complete ceasefire on all fronts. This includes Lebanon, he added. A violation on one front is a violation everywhere, according to Araghchi.

The warning came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs. This was in response to rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah on Israeli civilians. These attacks also violated a ceasefire announced in April. This truce had previously failed to stop the fighting. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran might halt indirect negotiations with the US. This agency is linked to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The agency also suggested Iran and its allies could open new fronts. This includes the Bab al-Mandab Strait near the Red Sea. Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed this. However, state television reported a high chance of the ceasefire ending if Israel continued its offensive in Lebanon. The truce originally took effect on April 8.

The United States has attempted to separate the situation in Lebanon from its negotiations with Iran. Iran has historically provided significant support to Hezbollah. This includes ideological, military, and financial aid. Iran insists that any agreement with the US must ensure peace in Lebanon. On Sunday, a US official mentioned that Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed a plan. This plan aimed for gradual de-escalation in Lebanon. It was presented to both Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The Israeli military had already struck Beirut twice since the April 16 ceasefire. The most recent strike occurred on Thursday. This frequency is lower than before the ceasefire. Reports suggest the White House has urged Israel to limit military actions in Beirut. This is to avoid jeopardizing broader peace deal efforts between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Tensions between Iran and the US also rose significantly in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. The US reported striking Iranian military sites. Tehran claimed it responded by targeting a US base in Kuwait. The price of oil increased again on Monday after these exchanges. Brent crude, the global standard for oil prices, rose almost $5 a barrel. It reached $97.44. Oil prices have been unpredictable since Israel and the US launched strikes against Iran on February 28. Potential peace deals and increased conflict both influence market volatility. The war, now in its third month, has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz. This action has driven up global energy costs. Approximately 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) typically pass through this strait. US President Donald Trump has recently stated that Washington and Tehran are close to a permanent deal. He indicated that negotiations were progressing. However, no formal agreement has been reached to date.