Has US Iran Ceasefire Ended? Israel Attacks Lebanon, Hezbollah; Here's Why Strait Of Hormuz Closed Again

In less than 1 day of a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, Israel intensified its attacks on Lebanon against the terrorist group Hezbollah. As per reports, hundreds have been wounded or killed. Following this, the two-week ceasefire plan of the US and Iran is hanging on the edge of collapse, especially after US Vice President JD Vance announced that Lebanon is not part of the truce proposal. Meanwhile, the IRGC is outraged by Israel's attack and once again has forced a shutdown on the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel Attacks Lebanon:

Israel is an ally of the US in the ongoing war against Iran that began on February 28, 2026. But before US agendas and missions, Iran and its proxy Hezbollah have been Israel's enemies for decades. Not just that, Israel faced two-front attacks from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon after the October 7, 2023, massacre. Also, Houthis from Yemen had further joined in the attacks. They're all proxies of Iran.

So besides US, Israel has already been combating Hezbollah since October 7. The Jewish country's goal is to eliminate terrorism threats.

Hence, despite the two-weeks ceasefire between US and Iran, Israel continued on its mission.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region."

But in another separate post, he also added, "The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel's regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations. The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon."

As per the latest update, Israeli defence forces intensified their operation in Beirut on Wednesday.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that their military has carried 'surprise attacks' on Hezbollah, striking over 100 targets in just 10 minutes. These targets included in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.

The defence minister insisted on differentiating the arenas between Iran and Lebanon in order to change the reality in Lebanon. Notably, Hezbollah had joined Iran to fire missiles at Israel last month, as part of their retaliation against US-Israel attacks that succumbed the life of Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

On other hand, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that Israeli forces attacked densely populated residents in Lebanon and many innocent lives were lost. He sought help from allies on these attacks.

Meanwhile, the report of Lebanese Health Ministry stated that that about 182 people died in the latest Israeli attack, and additional 890 were wounded or injured. These are preliminary numbers.

Iran Closes Strait Of Hormuz:

Following Israel's attack, Iran has shut down Strait of Hormuz again. As per the local news FARS, the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz has been halted following Israel's attacks on Lebanon.

Further, FARs reported that Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 74) and the American helicopter carrier USS Tripoli (LHA7) withdrew from the region to the depths of the Indian Ocean after being targeted by the IRGC.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the largest choke points for global oil and gas supply among other exports and imports. 20% of global crude and gas transitioned through this route until IRGC claimed control after US-Israel attacked the regime. Its been more than a month since Hormuz was closed, escalating a surge in energy prices while threatening inflation risks and global economic slowdown.

However, reopening Hormuz was part of the two-week ceasefire between US and Iran.

Was Lebanon Part Of Ceasefire Plan?

US vice president JD Vance has confirmed that Lebanon is not part of ceasefire plan. On April 8, while speaking to reporters in Budapest, Vance said, "I think the Iranians thought the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn't."

"We never made that promise. The focus of this agreement is on the direct hostilities between Iran and the United States and our allies in the Gulf," Vance added.

On the other hand, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said, "The Iran-U.S. Ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the U.S. must choose—ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both."

"The world sees the massacres in Lebanon. The ball is in the U.S. court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments," the minister said.

US Imposes New Tariffs On Iran:

Few hours after the ceasefire, US President Donald Trump announced that new tariffs on Iran.

He said, "A Country supplying Military Weapons to Iran will be immediately tariffed, on any and all goods sold to the United States of America, 50%, effective immediately. There will be no exclusions or exemptions! President DJT."

Earlier, Trump also said on April 8, the United States will work closely with Iran, which we have determined has gone through what will be a very productive Regime Change! There will be no enrichment of Uranium, and the United States will, working with Iran, dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) Nuclear "Dust." It is now, and has been, under very exacting Satellite Surveillance (Space Force!). Nothing has been touched from the date of attack.

"We are, and will be, talking Tariff and Sanctions relief with Iran. Many of the 15 points have already been agreed to," said Trump.

Also, on April 8, Lindsey Graham, the United States senator said, "I have tremendous confidence in POTUS, that he will put an end to Iran's reign of terror once and for all, hopefully through diplomacy."

"He has been saying since day one that when this is over Iran will no longer be the largest state sponsor of terrorism; they will not be allowed to have a ballistic missile program to threaten Europe and the U.S., and they will be forever prevented from acquiring a nuclear weapon," said Graham.

That being said, as per the New York Post, Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, seems to be a possible location for the peace talks between the two countries, US and Iran. Further reports said that Vance will lead the US negotiators for the first round of peace talks with Iran on Saturday.