The Middle East's fragile ceasefire has shattered, as Israel unleashes a wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claims these strikes are in response to repeated breaches of the 2006 ceasefire by the Iran-backed group, with operations targeting "Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure sites". Reports from Lebanese state media confirm that three people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday, while Hezbollah itself admits its fighters were engaged in fresh clashes with Israeli forces.
This latest escalation comes despite a recent agreement between the US and Iran aimed at ending conflict across all fronts in the Middle East. The deal, which was to be implemented through 14 key points, had been touted as a breakthrough in regional diplomacy. However, the critical talks scheduled for Friday in Switzerland have now been cancelled, sparking fears of renewed instability.
The cancellation of US-Iran talks has added another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, had reportedly approved the deal with the US, but only after expressing reservations about its terms. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump urged all parties in the region to maintain their commitment to negotiations and called for a "complete ceasefire on all fronts", including Lebanon.
Iran's recent announcement that it will introduce maritime fees in the Strait of Hormuz has further complicated the situation. Tehran claims control over the vital waterway, and any European naval mission aimed at escorting ships would be unwelcome. This move comes as the US Central Command confirmed an end to its naval blockade in the strait, which had been in place since April 13th.