Continued Fighting In Lebanon Results In Iran Calling Off Talks: Intense fighting in southern Lebanon briefly derailed high-stakes U.S.-Iran peace negotiations, leading Iran to pull out of scheduled talks in Switzerland.
The violence escalated after an attack on an Israeli tank killed four soldiers, including a Battalion commander, prompting retaliatory Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 18 people in southern Lebanon.
F-35I Adir Israel Stealth Fighter. Image Credit: IDF
Vice President JD Vance canceled his planned travel to Switzerland.
Shortly after the announcement of the cancellation, U.S. and Qatari mediators, with assistance from Iran, successfully brokered a renewed ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
The ceasefire was slated to start at 4 p.m. local time (9 a.m. E.T.) on Friday, officials said.
No One Is Happy With The MoU
US lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are unhappy with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that signaled the start of the 60-day negotiating window to end the conflict in Iran.
Iranian hardline factions have taken to the streets to protest and chant violence against their own lead negotiators—Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Israeli hardliners are expressing intense anger and frustration toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over recent ceasefire deals, particularly a US-brokered truce with Iran and Hezbollah. Far-right coalition members argue that the agreements tie Israel’s hands, sideline its security objectives, and complain that he didn’t go far enough in Lebanon.
F-35I Adir. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The MoU deal calls for an end to fighting on all fronts and respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Israel has said it will not withdraw its forces from Lebanon and argues its battle with Hezbollah is separate from its confrontation with Iran.
Hezbollah And Israel Trade Blame For The Latest Fighting
The Israeli military said four soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed in an attack on a tank in a village near the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh. An explosive drone attack wounded another five, it added.
The Israelis then launched multiple airstrikes against “Hezbollah infrastructure sites” in Nabatiyeh and other areas, according to a released statement by the IDF, which accused the militant group of “blatant ceasefire violations.”
“Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or on our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli armor with anti-tank missiles after Israeli forces were trying to infiltrate an area on the northern side of the Ali al-Taher hilltop, which overlooks Nabatiyeh and that Israeli troops have been trying to capture.
Strait Of Hormuz Open For Now
Despite recent statements by the IRGC that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any ship attempting to cross the Strait will be fired upon, a total of 25 ships crossed the Strait on Thursday, the most since April, according to the marine company AXSMarine.
However, the IRGC, unhappy with the MoU, is using the fighting in Lebanon as the reason for this. The Iranians are also warning the owners and captains of all ships intending to transit the Strait that they must register for — and receive — a permit and insurance before being allowed to enter.
The newly-created Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) said on Friday that all ships must comply with its terms and conditions to ensure “safe passage of commercial vessels.”
After the 60-day negotiating window ends, Iran plans to charge fees for ships transiting the Strait.
Further Negotiations on Hold
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that consultations between the US and Iran through mediators as to the next round of scheduled talks are ongoing.
He said that since the MoU was signed by both countries, the meeting in Switzerland is no longer considered urgent, and that the two sides will plan to meet in the coming days.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the mediators for negotiations, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, are due to gather for talks at the resort of El Alamein in Egypt on Sunday.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications
