Teheran, Sketsa.id – Less than 24 hours after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran, the Islamic Republic has closed the Strait of Hormuz once again. The move came in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon that killed hundreds.
The US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on Wednesday morning (April 8, 2026). As part of the deal, Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, potentially restoring disrupted global energy supplies. But hopes of easing tensions were dashed when the Israeli military launched more than 100 airstrikes within a 10-minute span across Lebanon. Lebanon’s Civil Defense Authority reported at least 254 people killed and 1,165 others wounded in Wednesday’s attacks. Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine said his country faced a “dangerous escalation” and called on international organizations to assist the overwhelmed health sector.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly supported the US decision for a ceasefire with Iran but insisted the deal did not cover Lebanon. “Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend attacks against Iran for two weeks, provided Iran immediately opens the strait and halts all attacks on the US, Israel, and regional countries,” Netanyahu wrote on X. In a separate post, he stated that the US had informed Israel of its commitment to achieving shared goals in upcoming negotiations. “This two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, President Trump endorsed ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon, stating that Hezbollah was not included in the ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran. When asked by PBS News about Lebanon still being targeted despite the ceasefire announcement, Trump replied briefly, “Yeah, they’re not included in that deal.” Trump also confirmed that Israeli forces would continue their strikes on Lebanon. “That’s part of the deal — everybody knows that. It’s a separate fight,” he said.
The United States demanded that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz “immediately, quickly, and safely.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the closure of the strategic waterway was “absolutely unacceptable.” “I will repeat the president’s hope and demand that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened immediately, quickly, and safely,” Leavitt told reporters. With this latest escalation, the brief peace effort between the US and Iran has collapsed. The world is once again shrouded in uncertainty, both in the Middle East and in global energy markets, which are already reeling from the second closure of the Strait of Hormuz. (*)
