By Elsie Kamsiyochi
The fragile peace agreement between the United States and Iran is facing growing pressure as Israel insists it will maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon, highlighting one of the most contentious issues threatening long-term stability in the region.
Speaking in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that Israeli troops would remain in southern Lebanon indefinitely, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions following months of war. His remarks came as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled across the Gulf region to persuade skeptical allies to support the newly signed U.S.-Iran accord, which officially ended a conflict that had shaken the Middle East and disrupted global energy markets.
The agreement, reached last week after months of intense fighting, brought an end to a war that began in late February and rapidly expanded across the region. The conflict involved direct confrontations between Iran, Israel, and U.S. forces, while attacks on critical infrastructure and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent shockwaves through global oil and gas markets.
Despite the breakthrough, disagreements over the terms of the deal continue to emerge. Questions remain over sanctions relief for Iran, the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear activities, and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Critics in both Washington and the Middle East have argued that the accord grants Tehran significant concessions while failing to adequately address regional security concerns.
Israel has been particularly vocal about maintaining its military operations in Lebanon. Israeli officials argue that the presence of troops in southern Lebanon is necessary to prevent future attacks from Hezbollah and to guarantee the safety of communities in northern Israel.
“We are not retreating,” Katz said during a public appearance at a conference in Tel Aviv. He stressed that Israel views its military presence as a strategic necessity and noted that, according to Israeli officials, the United States has not demanded a withdrawal as part of the broader regional negotiations.
The comments come as American diplomats attempt to broker a separate arrangement between Israel and Lebanon. Discussions in Washington have focused on a proposal that would see Israel withdraw from portions of the territory it captured during the conflict and transfer security responsibilities to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
However, Iran has made clear that peace in Lebanon remains a key condition for broader regional stability. Tehran views the conflict involving Hezbollah as directly connected to the larger war that recently ended between Iran and the United States.
Speaking during a gathering of lawmakers from Islamic nations in Azerbaijan, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf emphasized that ending hostilities in Lebanon is just as important as preserving the ceasefire with Iran.
“For us, peace in Lebanon and peace in Iran are inseparable,” he said, underscoring Tehran’s position that any lasting regional settlement must address both fronts simultaneously.
Meanwhile, violence has continued despite the diplomatic activity. Lebanese security and medical sources reported that at least two people were killed in a drone strike targeting a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. The Israeli military stated it was reviewing the reports but confirmed that its air force had carried out operations against armed Hezbollah members near areas under Israeli military control.
The persistence of such incidents has reinforced concerns that the region remains vulnerable to renewed conflict despite the ceasefire agreement.
At the same time, Rubio’s diplomatic tour is aimed at reassuring Gulf allies that the United States remains committed to their security. Many countries in the region suffered direct consequences during the war, including missile attacks launched by Iran that caused civilian casualties and significant economic damage.
During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Rubio met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and senior government officials. He is also scheduled to visit Kuwait and Bahrain, both of which host major U.S. military installations and were targeted during the conflict.
Regional leaders have expressed concern that the agreement with Iran may be too generous. Reports suggesting the deal includes hundreds of billions of dollars in economic assistance and partial sanctions relief have fueled skepticism among governments that fear Tehran could use additional resources to strengthen its influence across the Middle East.
Another major source of dispute involves Iran’s nuclear program. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon was the central objective of the military campaign and that Tehran agreed to extensive monitoring measures as part of the accord.
Iranian officials have pushed back against those claims. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi reiterated on Wednesday that no agreement has been reached regarding unrestricted access to nuclear facilities. He said discussions about inspections and access to sites damaged during the conflict would only occur as part of a final comprehensive agreement and after sanctions are fully lifted.
The future of the Strait of Hormuz also remains uncertain. Although commercial shipping has begun returning to the strategic waterway, negotiations continue over how the route will be managed moving forward. The strait carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, making its stability critical to the global economy.
Diplomatic sources said Qatar and Oman have begun consultations regarding future arrangements for the passage. Gulf nations are expected to oppose any transit fees, while Iran has reportedly explored the possibility of introducing charges related to navigation, security, and environmental protection.
President Trump sought to calm market concerns by announcing that Iran had assured the United States it would not impose tolls or additional costs on vessels traveling through the strait. The statement helped ease fears of another disruption to global energy supplies and contributed to a decline in oil prices.
Yet despite signs of progress, the road ahead remains uncertain. With Israel refusing to withdraw from southern Lebanon, Iran demanding an end to hostilities there, and regional powers questioning key provisions of the peace agreement, the accord faces significant tests in the weeks ahead. Diplomats are racing to turn a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace, but continuing violence and deep mistrust among the region’s major players suggest that achieving that goal will be far from easy.
Source Reuters
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