Talk of a truce that would pause the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon followed rare direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington on Tuesday.
The regime in Iran has not changed and the nuclear and missile threats have not been eliminated, leaving many Israelis to wonder what this was all for.
Israel’s campaign targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon has been a source of tension in the U.S.-Iran cease-fire. Israeli and Lebanese officials plan to meet for rare talks in Washington this week.
In Tyre, a city on Lebanon’s coast, near-daily bombardments by Israel have killed and injured civilians, and left many searching for shelter.
The U.S. had demanded that Iran immediately reopen the strait to all maritime traffic, but Iran said it would do so only after a final peace deal, according to Iranian officials.
The lack of a breakthrough after 21 hours of negotiations leaves the Trump administration facing several unpalatable options.
China may have shipped missiles to Iran, and Beijing is allowing some companies to sell Tehran supplies that can be used in military production, American officials said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain is strengthening ties in Europe and the Middle East as the once-special relationship with America sours.
For Iran’s theocratic rulers, just surviving the U.S.-Israeli onslaught means victory. But the seeds of their next crisis may already be planted.
Britain, France and the European Union condemned Israel’s strikes targeting Hezbollah in the country, saying these threatened the truce.