Tankers resume Hormuz transit as Israeli strikes challenge Iran deal

The memorandum, signed Wednesday, mandates the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of U.S. port blockades. Markets reacted swiftly, with Brent crude futures dropping below $78 a barrel, the lowest level since the conflict began in February. While commercial vessels are beginning to broadcast their positions again, full transit capacity remains hampered by the need to clear mines and verify safe passage.

However, the agreement’s efficacy remains in question regarding Lebanon. Although the document explicitly calls for the permanent termination of hostilities and the restoration of Lebanese sovereignty, Israeli forces continue a military campaign against Hezbollah. Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed they are engaged in stubborn negotiations with Washington to maintain a buffer zone south of the Litani River.

This discrepancy has placed Benjamin Netanyahu in a precarious position. For displaced residents like Mohammed Doghman, the diplomatic progress in Washington offers little immediate relief from the reality of ongoing bombardment. The situation now tests the limits of Trump’s influence: he must decide whether to force Israeli compliance or risk the collapse of the newly minted pact. For Israel, the choice is increasingly stark—abandon a central military objective or fracture its most critical international alliance.