Published on 6/27/2026
The American-Iranian truce does not seem strong enough to withstand the challenges on the ground, especially with the failure of the war to achieve its political goals for which it broke out and the failure to reach a decisive agreement, in addition to the possibility of an explosion in the situation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
As soon as the negotiations stipulated in the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran began, the two sides exchanged lightning strikes after the United States accused the Iranians of targeting a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Washington Post newspaper believes that the strikes that the US Central Command said it directed yesterday, Friday, against missile platforms and observation towers on Sirik Island overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, in response to Iran targeting a commercial ship last Wednesday, increase the state of confusion regarding the content of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.
Also, the statements made by officials from both sides, which the American newspaper described as charged, “disrupt the ceasefire and raise questions about the extent of the truce’s ability to withstand these developments.”
In light of the ambiguity prevailing over the terms of this memorandum, each party is trying to establish its own version of the terms of the agreement and what it considers a violation that must be responded to, as the newspaper says.
The war did not achieve its goals
The matter does not stop at the two parties’ interpretation of the terms of the agreement, but extends to the memorandum of understanding itself, which an article published by the National Interest website considered evidence of the failure of the war to achieve the political goals for which it was established.
Instead of reaching a decisive political settlement with Iran, the war ended with a temporary memorandum of understanding after the United States found it unable to bear the political and economic costs of a long-term war.
The problem is not the weakness of American military capabilities, but rather the political and economic costs of long-term wars, which the article said may lead adversaries such as China and Russia to believe that the United States is less willing to defend its allies.
An obstacle to the Lebanon agreement
In the Lebanese arena, which is supposed to be part of the US-Iranian memorandum of understanding, the agreement that Tel Aviv recently signed with official Beirut does not appear to be applicable due to Hezbollah’s opposition, in the opinion of Le Monde newspaper.
The agreement explicitly stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah throughout Lebanon as a condition for Israeli withdrawal, something the party considers a red line, according to the newspaper.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem launched a sharp attack on the framework agreement, which he considered “a terrible failure and a waiver of sovereignty,” calling on the Lebanese authorities to withdraw from it and adhere to the provisions of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding.
Iran has always stressed that stopping the Israeli aggression against Lebanon is an integral part of the agreement concluded with the United States, and it launched strikes against northern Israel about two weeks ago in response to an Israeli bombing that targeted the southern suburb of Beirut.
Democratic debate on Israel
Speaking about Israel, whose political leaders confirmed that they are not planning any withdrawal from Lebanon, and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even announced the deepening of operations in Lebanese territory, the Politico website said that Democratic representatives will hold a meeting in the US Congress tomorrow, Sunday, to discuss their position on a legislative amendment aimed at stopping military aid to Israel.
The meeting will be held amid a major Democratic division over the proposed amendment, and days after 3 of the most vocal critics of US aid to Israel won the primary elections for the House of Representatives in New York City, which the newspaper says has increased pressure on the party leadership to unify its position.
In a remarkable turn, American Donald Trump warned the Israeli side against continuing its attacks on Lebanon, in a move that appeared to be issuing a direct order that Tel Aviv had no choice but to implement.
American military aid represents a cornerstone of the Israeli army, which does not stop its attacks in one place until it launches them in another. J.D. Vance, US Vice President, rebuked Israeli officials who objected to negotiations with Iran, saying that they should remember that American weapons were what protected their country during the last three months.
