News Desk
TEHRAN: Lebanese President Michel Aoun has warned that the newly announced ceasefire agreement with Israel represents a “last opportunity” to halt escalating hostilities, as negotiations remain fraught with difficulty.
The Trump administration confirmed on Wednesday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire, raising hopes for progress toward a broader deal involving Iran. The agreement requires a full cessation of fire from Hezbollah and the withdrawal of its operatives from the South Litani Sector.
According to a joint statement from the U.S. State Department, the deal also includes the creation of pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume exclusive control, excluding all non-state actors. Both sides will reconvene for political and security talks during the week of June 22 to build confidence and address unresolved issues.
The ceasefire comes against the backdrop of Iranian strikes that damaged Kuwait International Airport, killing one person and injuring more than 60. Flights were temporarily suspended before resuming under heightened safety measures.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denied responsibility, claiming U.S. interceptor missiles caused the destruction. However, U.S. Central Command stated Iranian drones deliberately targeted the airport.
Meanwhile, reports from Iranian media alleged attacks on U.S. bases in Bahrain and naval assets, though U.S. officials denied any successful strikes. Centcom confirmed new “defensive strikes” in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and vessels attempting to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz.
The renewed clashes have rattled global energy markets, with oil prices rising nearly 2% as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed more than three months after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
President Aoun emphasized that failure to uphold the ceasefire could derail broader diplomatic efforts, including Tehran’s conditional engagement with Washington.
