Rescue workers search for missing people under the rubble of an apartment building after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon.Image: keystone
April 8, 2026, 7:40 p.mApril 8, 2026, 7:43 p.m
Fierce attacks by Israel in Lebanon, new shelling from Iran on countries in the region and a renewed stop to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could endanger the ceasefire in the Iran war. According to the Fars news agency, Iran is considering withdrawing from the agreed two-week ceasefire with the USA because of the Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to Fars, in protest against the attacks on the allied militia, Iran also stopped shipping traffic through the strait, which is important for the oil and gas trade. This blockade contradicts the agreement with the USA.
Israel: Largest coordinated attack against Hezbollah
The Israeli army launched a massive attack on Lebanon and called it the “largest coordinated attack” against Hezbollah’s military infrastructure since the conflict with the militia flared up again at the beginning of March. At least 112 people were killed and more than 800 injured, said a spokesman for the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
From the perspective of the Iranian leadership, Israel is violating the agreement with the attacks. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, wrote on X that the ceasefire explicitly also applies to Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagreed and emphasized that the ceasefire only referred to the conflict between the USA and Iran – but not to the operation against Hezbollah. Israel accuses Iran of continuing its attacks on the country after the ceasefire came into force.
Relief after ceasefire announcement
The international community reacted to the ceasefire agreement with great relief. At the same time, the warring parties were implored to ensure diplomatic success.
Several Arab states also see the development as positive. It is important to find solutions that get to the root of the crisis, said Oman’s Foreign Ministry. The Gulf states have repeatedly come under attack from Iran in recent weeks.
The stock markets celebrated the ceasefire with a significant increase in prices.
Iran: Passage of the Strait of Hormuz only after approval
Especially according to new information from Iran, it was unclear when and under what conditions the Strait of Hormuz would become passable again. Shipping traffic is still subject to “technical restrictions and coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” it said from Tehran. According to Fars, only two oil tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz before shipping traffic was suspended again in protest.
Ten-point plan should be the basis for further discussions
Shortly before the expiration of the ultimatum from US President Donald Trump, who had insisted on opening the strait and threatened to wipe out Iranian civilization by bombing civilian infrastructure, the warring parties had agreed on a ten-point plan presented by Tehran. This should be the basis for peace negotiations starting on Friday in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.
The plan has not been officially made public. According to Iranian media, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened, but Iran will retain control of the strait and be allowed to enrich uranium. There are also calls for the lifting of the harsh international sanctions and punitive measures of the UN Security Council. For its part, the Islamic Republic undertakes never to produce nuclear weapons. Uranium enrichment should be restricted after negotiations.
Both sides want to be winners
Both sides declared themselves victors in light of the ceasefire. Many pro-government supporters celebrated in Tehran. Trump has bowed to Iranian demands, said the reporter from SNN TV, who is close to the paramilitary Basij militias.
Experts said the US had been able to enforce few of its demands. “What has now been achieved looks more like a strategic defeat for the United States of America,” said security expert Carlo Masala on Deutschlandfunk. The ten-point plan “there was little Iranian accommodation towards American demands right from the start.”
To make it more difficult for Iran to rearm, Trump announced punitive tariffs of 50 percent for states that supplied Tehran with weapons.
Donald Trump wants to be the winner.Image: keystone
What’s next?
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited US and Iranian delegations to the capital Islamabad for further talks on Friday. Pakistani sources said representatives from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt could also take part in the talks.
Israel was not involved in the negotiations, but supports Trump’s decision for the ceasefire, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The prerequisite is that Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz and also suspends its attacks. Israel therefore continues to insist that Iran with its nuclear and missile program should no longer pose a threat to the USA, Israel and Tehran’s Arab neighbors. (hkl/sda/dpa)