DUBAI, April 9: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorised direct talks with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” following a tentative ceasefire in the ongoing Iran-related conflict. Netanyahu said the negotiations would focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the neighboring countries.
The Israeli leader welcomed a call from Lebanon’s prime minister to demilitarise Beirut, although Lebanon has not yet issued an official response. The ceasefire faces numerous challenges, including Iran’s continued strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz, questions over the scope of Israel-Hezbollah hostilities, and broader tensions between Tehran and the United States.
Both Iran and the US have declared victory in the ceasefire, but Iran’s semi-official news agencies suggested the Strait of Hormuz remains a hazard due to potential mines placed by the Revolutionary Guard. This chokehold on a crucial oil route has slowed global maritime traffic and contributed to skyrocketing oil prices. President Donald Trump warned that US forces would respond more forcefully if Iran failed to comply with the agreement.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire’s enforcement has been complicated by continued Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, which have killed at least 203 people and injured over 1,000 in the deadliest day of the conflict since it began on February 28. Israel said its strikes targeted Hezbollah positions, including the killing of an aide to the group’s leader, Naim Kassem, while Hezbollah has not issued an immediate response.
Analysts have cautioned that the ceasefire “hovers on the verge of collapse,” noting that Israeli strikes, while aimed at Hezbollah, risk widening the conflict or straining the Iran-Hezbollah alliance. Israel maintains that it will continue striking Hezbollah with “force, precision, and determination,” while Iran has warned of “explicit costs and strong responses” to any further attacks.
The conflict has disrupted energy markets as well. Semi-official Iranian agencies indicated that sea mines could restrict oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for 20% of the world’s traded oil and gas. Approximately 230 oil-laden ships are awaiting safe passage, contributing to Brent crude prices climbing to around USD 98 per barrel, a 35% increase since the start of the war.
The upcoming talks are expected to address several key issues, including the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium, the country’s missile and nuclear programs, and the legality of Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz. The US insists that Iran must never be able to develop nuclear weapons and wants to remove its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Iran, however, insists its nuclear program is peaceful and that maintaining enrichment is “necessary” for any ceasefire agreement. Trump has emphasized that US forces will remain in the region until a “real agreement” is fully implemented.
The fragile ceasefire has temporarily halted missile and drone attacks by Iran on Gulf Arab neighbors and Israel, yet uncertainty looms over whether a lasting agreement can be reached. The negotiations will need to balance regional security, energy flows, and the strategic ambitions of Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and the US, while also addressing the humanitarian impact of ongoing airstrikes and military operations.Both sides face intense international pressure to stabilize the region and prevent further escalation, making the upcoming talks a crucial test for Middle East diplomacy. (AP)
