US-Iran Ceasefire Framework Leaves Lebanon Unresolved, Spotlighting Hezbollah

The US and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Lebanon remains a central unresolved issue.

The New York Times reported on June 15 that Washington and Tehran had agreed in principle on a framework focused on ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A formal signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday in Switzerland. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the agreement also covers Lebanon.

Major fault lines remain. Israel struck Hezbollah positions in Beirut on Sunday, and the attack was followed by an immediate retaliatory response.

Iran's parliamentary speaker said the episode showed either that the US was unwilling to honor its commitments or incapable of doing so.

Iran's deputy foreign minister said key provisions, including sanctions relief and nuclear issues, would have to be negotiated separately during a 60-day ceasefire period.

Experts described Lebanon as the clearest test of the US-Iran negotiations. They said questions over Hezbollah's future and the extent of Israel's military freedom of action could shape the postwar order in the Middle East, yet neither issue has been clearly addressed in the current agreement.