Vice President JD Vance confirmed that 12.5 million barrels of crude cleared the strait overnight, marking the first tangible sign of the accord's impact on global energy markets. Benchmark Brent crude futures dropped 2% to below $78 per barrel, the lowest level since the conflict began in February. Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, the reality on the ground in Lebanon remains volatile, with Israeli airstrikes reported in the towns of Kfartebnit and Zebdine.
The memorandum signed on Wednesday explicitly demands the permanent termination of hostilities in Lebanon, a move that contradicts the current strategy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While Trump has publicly criticized the destruction of Lebanese infrastructure, Israel has expanded its footprint, releasing maps of a new southern buffer zone. Senior Israeli officials described ongoing negotiations with Washington as stubborn, indicating that the nation may prioritize its military objectives over alignment with the new U.S. policy.
For the more than one million displaced Lebanese, the agreement offers little immediate relief. As the U.S. prepares for a formal ceremony in Switzerland to confirm the 60-day negotiation window for a final settlement, the disconnect between the signing in Washington and the drone activity over Beirut highlights the precarious nature of the deal. Critics point out that the agreement concludes without the fulfillment of Trump’s initial goals, such as the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program or the removal of its hardline leadership, leaving the regional power balance in flux.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!