Israel has continued to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, defying a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. At least one person has died in the attacks, despite Lebanon being included in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Iran war.
Trump's Controversial MOU
US President Donald Trump's MOU concedes the inclusion of Lebanon, effectively limiting Israel's ability to attack Hezbollah, Iran's proxy in the region. This has infuriated many Israelis, who see the agreement as severely restricting their ability to defend themselves against Hezbollah.
Within hours of the MOU details emerging, sources said Israeli delegates were in Washington heavily lobbying Trump aides about keeping troops in Lebanon. A western security source stated, 'This has already caused huge tension between Israel and the US as Israelis see it as a capitulation.'
Israel's Strategic Concerns
Until now, Israel has been able to preempt Hezbollah by attacking it within Lebanon, cutting off its ability to become a larger threat. Units such as Hezbollah's elite Radwan force have been decimated, but if Israel bows to this agreement, it believes Hezbollah will consolidate.
'Israel will feel forced to go against Washington as for years it has been working to deplete Hezbollah, with major successes. This is a huge setback for Israel. It sees having troops in southern Lebanon as a strategic necessity, as a buffer to protect its northern communities,' the source added.
Hezbollah Celebrates 'Victory'
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem hailed the Trump MOU as a great 'victory' as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces having to defy Washington. In a televised address, Qassem thanked Iran for 'linking the Lebanese arena' to the accord.
He said the MOU is 'forcing Israel to stop its aggression' on Lebanon and will help Hezbollah 'expel' Israel from the country. 'There are no experimental zones, no safe zones for Israel, no yellow zones, no red zones and no green zones... Israel must leave, and it will leave,' Qassem declared.
Exclusion of Israel from Talks
Tehran had insisted from the beginning that Lebanon be included in any lasting peace settlement to end the US-Israeli war on Iran. Israel strongly resisted this suggestion and has been cut out of talks about the MOU's contents.
Details of the MOU
The MOU, signed electronically by Trump in France ahead of a signing in Switzerland, triggers a 60-day consultation period on peace. While it aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, Iran is still expected to impose tariffs on passing shipping.
Trump's MOU, widely considered worse than former President Obama's 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, defers major issues like Iran's nuclear ambitions and makes no mention of curbing Iran's missile stocks, posing a considerable threat to Israel.
Key Provisions
- Lebanon is the first of 14 points, beginning with an end to fighting and the US agreeing not to interfere in Iran.
- The US must lift its naval blockade within 30 days and withdraw from around Iran.
- The Strait of Hormuz will reopen within 30 days, and oil sanctions must be lifted.
- The US must give Iran $300 billion, though the source of this money is unclear.
- A 60-day negotiation on Iran's nuclear programme will take place, with Iran declaring it will not build a nuclear weapon.
- No new sanctions or reinforcement of US forces in the region.
- A payment of $24 billion to Iran, half before the end of 60 days.
- Talks about uranium enrichment will begin only after half of frozen assets are unfrozen, oil sanctions suspended, and the naval blockade stopped.
- Iran's missile programme and support for proxy groups, including Hezbollah, are excluded.
