First Tankers Cross Strait of Hormuz After Iran Deal, While Israeli Strikes Continue in Lebanon

Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying around 6 million barrels of crude oil crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking one of the first major shipping movements after a U.S.–Iran agreement aimed at ending the war and reopening key maritime routes.

The deal, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, calls for the immediate reopening of the strait and the lifting of a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. It also begins a 60-day negotiation period for a broader final settlement.

Shipping activity showed early signs of recovery, with vessels broadcasting their positions instead of hiding locations, suggesting improving confidence in transit conditions. Oil prices also eased, with Brent crude falling about 2% to below $78 per barrel.

Lebanon Conflict Continues Despite Wider Peace Push

While maritime traffic resumed, fighting in Lebanon raised doubts over how fully the agreement is being implemented. Israeli airstrikes continued in southern Lebanon, killing at least three people, according to local reports, even as diplomatic efforts aimed to reduce regional tensions.

Israeli officials said discussions with Washington remain “stubborn,” with disagreement over whether Israeli troops should remain in southern Lebanon as part of a buffer zone.

Tensions Over War Objectives and Regional Stability

The agreement explicitly calls for ending the war in Lebanon and protecting its sovereignty, but Israel has signaled it may maintain its military presence regardless of diplomatic pressure. The situation has created a widening divide between Washington and Tel Aviv, as both sides debate how far the peace framework should extend.

Displaced Lebanese civilians, many living in temporary shelters, expressed uncertainty about whether the conflict has truly ended, reflecting the fragile and uneven impact of the agreement on the ground.