Persistent fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon is threatening a tentative deal reached between the United States and Iran to end their war. The deal includes a ceasefire in Lebanon that would protect Iran’s long-time ally Hezbollah from Israeli strikes, so long as it doesn’t fire at Israel.

Background of the Conflict

Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shiite Islamist movement, has engaged in conflict with Israel for decades. It has long been committed to Israel’s destruction and has built up a powerful arsenal of rockets, missiles, and drones with Iranian help.

Israel has launched frequent campaigns against Hezbollah, most notably in 2006. The conflict has already led to the postponement of US-Iran talks that would begin the difficult process of resolving long-term issues like Tehran’s nuclear program and sanctions.

US-Iran Agreement

The US-Iran agreement stipulates that the US, Iran, and their allies “declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon.”

US President Donald Trump said Thursday on social media that as part of the deal, “we expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.”

For Tehran, an end to Israeli attacks on its most significant ally in the region has always been a central demand amid the torturous negotiations to end the three-month-old conflict.

Implications and Reactions

The fighting has already led to the postponement of US-Iran talks. Iran asked for guarantees that hostilities in Lebanon will end before it resumes talks with the US.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon. “We will restore security to the north (of Israel),” he said on Thursday in his first public remarks since the text of the US-Iran agreement was published.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.