A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war faced major strains Thursday as Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on Beirut, Iran maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz, and questions lingered over whether upcoming talks on Saturday could secure common ground. Both Iran and the U.S., which declared victory following Tuesday’s ceasefire announcement, appeared to leverage pressure: semiofficial Iranian agencies suggested the Strait of Hormuz had been mined, while President Donald Trump warned of intensified U.S. strikes if Tehran failed to honor the deal.
Disputes also emerged over whether the ceasefire covered hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Wednesday’s Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut marked the deadliest day in Lebanon since the conflict began on February 28, killing at least 203 people and wounding more than 1,000. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed continued strikes against Hezbollah, while Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned of “explicit costs and strong responses.” Meanwhile, uncertainty persisted over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping, and Tehran’s capability to launch future missile attacks or support regional proxies. Oil prices remained high, with the Strait’s de facto closure disrupting global trade, and U.S. forces remained on alert until full compliance with the ceasefire is confirmed.
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