Disputes Emerge Over Terms of U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Agreement
The recently brokered two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran faces challenges as disagreements arise over its terms, particularly concerning Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.
The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, is encountering significant challenges due to differing interpretations of its terms. A primary point of contention is whether the ceasefire encompasses Lebanon. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the agreement included an immediate ceasefire "everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere." However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Lebanon was not part of the deal, referring to the situation there as a "separate skirmish." The United States has echoed this position, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirming that "Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire." In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized Israel's actions in Lebanon as a "flagrant violation of the initial ceasefire agreement."
Another contentious issue is the control and operation of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has indicated that passage through the strait "will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations." President Donald Trump acknowledged this stance, suggesting a joint venture where the U.S. and Iran would charge tolls for ships to pass. However, subsequent statements from the White House emphasized the need for the strait to remain open without limitations or delays.
Further complicating the situation are discrepancies regarding a 10-point proposal from Iran, which President Trump described as "a workable basis on which to negotiate." Iran's publicly shared 10-point list includes demands such as the continuation of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and the acceptance of uranium enrichment. The U.S. has indicated that a different, more reasonable proposal was received, but details have not been disclosed. Iranian officials assert that the publicly shared 10 points are the basis of the agreement, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stating that the "workable basis on which to negotiate" has been violated even before negotiations began.
These disagreements underscore the fragility of the ceasefire and the complexities involved in negotiating a lasting peace agreement.