President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon are distinct from the conflict with Iran and therefore are not part of the two-week ceasefire agreement reached the previous evening with Tehran.
This clarification came amidst a day of intense bombardment: the Israeli military targeted over 100 positions within a mere ten minutes on Lebanese soil, marking the largest assault since the conflict began on February 28. According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, these strikes have resulted in at least 89 fatalities and over 700 injuries.
During a telephone interview with PBS, Trump was asked directly if he was aware of Israel's airstrikes on Beirut conducted without prior notice. "Yes, they (Hezbollah) were not included in the agreement," he answered.
The President elaborated that the exclusion of the Shiite group from the pause was intentional. "Because of Hezbollah. They were not part of the agreement. That will be sorted out. No problem," he stated confidently.
When questioned on whether he supported Israel's ongoing strikes in Lebanon, Trump was unequivocal: "It's part of the deal, everyone knows. It's a separate skirmish."
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office had made it clear from the outset that the ceasefire with Iran does not encompass Lebanon, a stance publicly backed by Netanyahu's administration.
The Israeli attacks were primarily focused on Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern regions of the country. The Israel Defense Forces issued evacuation orders in Al-Abassiya within the Tyre district and issued warnings to residents in southern Beirut.
Tehran's response was swift: Iran once again halted the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after vessels had started to transit following Tuesday's truce.
The Fars agency, which is linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was the first to report the renewed closure, indicating that the move was a direct reaction to the Israeli bombardments in Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi went further, deeming any ceasefire that excludes Israel as unreasonable, warning that the United States must choose between peace or conflict through its ally, according to EFE.
Iran also set its participation in Friday's negotiations in Islamabad as conditional upon the extension of the ceasefire to include Lebanon, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The Norwegian Refugee Council cautioned that leaving Lebanon out of the ceasefire "threatens to fuel further escalation and undermine stability."
Formal talks between the United States and Iran are slated for Friday, April 10, in Islamabad, with Vice President JD Vance and Iranian representative Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as the main negotiators, and Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey as mediators, emphasized EFE.
Key Aspects of the Israel-Lebanon Conflict
Why are Israeli strikes in Lebanon not included in the Iran ceasefire?
President Trump stated that Hezbollah was not part of the ceasefire agreement with Iran, and thus the strikes in Lebanon are considered a separate skirmish.
What was Iran's response to the Israeli attacks in Lebanon?
In response to the Israeli attacks, Iran halted the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, viewing the strikes as a direct provocation.
What are the potential consequences of excluding Lebanon from the ceasefire?
The Norwegian Refugee Council warns that not including Lebanon in the ceasefire could lead to increased escalation and destabilization in the region.