Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz after Israel strikes Lebanon driving a wedge in ceasefire agreement

Oliver Partridge
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:38:11 +0000

The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran appears to have been left on the brink of collapse less than 24 hours after it was agreed, with Iran appearing to close the Strait of Hormuz and launching drone strikes against energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Tehran's actions came in response to a devastating Israeli aerial assault on Lebanon that killed at least 112 people and wounded approximately 700 others, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israeli forces struck 100 targets across central Beirut within a 10-minute window this afternoon, describing the operation as an effort to eliminate Hezbollah militants backed by Iran.

The Iranian regime maintains that the two-week truce negotiated with the United States encompassed all regional hostilities, including those in Lebanon, a position disputed by both Washington and Tel Aviv.

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The agreement between the US and Iran was finalised on Tuesday evening, coming just 90 minutes before a deadline set by Donald Trump.

Mr Trump issued stark warnings prior to the deal, threatening to devastate Iranian civilisation and reduce the country to the "Stone Age" through attacks on civilian infrastructure, should the strait remain blocked.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Iran was required to end its effective blockade of the vital shipping lane, which carries approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Tehran was also obligated to cease its military operations against Gulf states.

However, within hours of the agreement taking effect, Iranian drones targeted Saudi Arabia's critical east-west pipeline, which serves as Riyadh's sole remaining export route via the Red Sea while the Hormuz passage remains closed.

The dispute centres on whether Lebanon falls within the scope of the agreement reached between Washington and Tehran.

An unnamed source speaking to an Iranian news agency indicated that the regime viewed the ceasefire as covering hostilities "on all fronts, including Lebanon".

Iranian state television broadcast warnings that Tehran would "punish" Israel for what it characterised as breaches of the truce.

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The United States and Israel have rejected this interpretation, maintaining that military operations targeting Hezbollah, the Iranian proxy organisation, are not covered by the deal.

Bombing raids struck not only the capital but also southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley.

Iran had previously cautioned that it would withdraw from the ceasefire should Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory continue.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has played a central role in mediating between the parties, called for calm amid growing fears the truce would disintegrate entirely.

"I earnestly and sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards peaceful settlement of the conflict," Mr Sharif said.

He noted that violations had been "reported at a few places across the conflict zone" without identifying those responsible.

US Vice President JD Vance, who has led negotiations for the American side, acknowledged earlier today that the ceasefire remained "fragile".

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that US forces stood prepared to resume combat operations "with the same speed and precision" demonstrated over the preceding 38 days.

Mr Trump has yet to respond publicly to the latest developments.