Why the Lebanon Conflict Complicates Resolution of the Iran War

When the Lebanese militia Hezbollah entered the US-Israeli war against Iran by firing rockets and drones into Israel on the second day of the conflict, officials there saw in the crisis sweeping the region a chance to finally drive the militia, already weakened by a series of setbacks, away from Israel’s northern border. They’ve been loath to give it up.

After the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7, Israel actually escalated its campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah, including with strikes on central Beirut that came without the usual evacuation warning. The attacks cast a cloud over the truce and planned talks aimed at a more lasting peace. Iranian officials say Israel’s Lebanon offensive constitutes a violation of the ceasefire, and the semi-official Tasnim news agency said Iran could withdraw from the truce if Israel keeps it up. US officials say there was never a promise that Israel would stop fighting Hezbollah, though US President Donald Trump said Israel would scale back its attacks.