Israeli military and Iran‑backed Hezbollah militants clashed in southern Lebanon on Tuesday; Hezbollah launched rockets, artillery and exploding drone attacks on Israeli troops and vehicles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will expand its operations, seizing strategic areas and fortifying its control in southern Lebanon.
The cease‑fire brokered by Washington is described as nominal, threatening indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran that have been ongoing for nearly three months. Iran demands any agreement also include an end to fighting in Lebanon.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated it will take “a few days” for Washington and Tehran to reach a deal. Al Jazeera reports indirect talks continue despite the recent exchange of fire. The United States emphasizes that a shaky cease‑fire remains in place, while Iran warns of retaliation if the truce is violated.
Draft terms of a U.S.–Iran framework include an extension of the cease‑fire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about one‑fifth of global oil passes. The strait has been largely closed since the war began in late February, constraining oil supplies.
Brent crude futures fell 3.2% to $96.44 per barrel, below recent peaks above $100 but still well above pre‑war levels, sustaining concerns about an energy‑driven inflation surge.
