US-Iran Peace Deal Signed, But Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Kill 18 as Ceasefire Crumbles

The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday, with a formal signing ceremony planned for June 19 in Switzerland [176712][172795]. As part of the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen on Friday under Iranian arrangements, and the United States has ended its naval blockade of Iran [176722][172795]. Iran has announced it will begin charging ships for passage through the Strait of Hormuz after a 60-day window [175529].

However, the peace deal faces immediate challenges. Hours after the signing, Israel launched drone strikes in southern Lebanon, hitting the village of Beit Yahoun and causing injuries [176712]. In separate attacks, Israeli forces carried out artillery shelling, drone strikes, and a ground incursion with military vehicles and bulldozers, wounding several people [174777]. Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon killed 18 people, and the Israeli military reported its first soldier killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire deal [176645]. Another Israeli attack killed at least 15 people [176394]. In Beirut, Israeli strikes hit a five-story apartment building, killing at least three people [173343].

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s military will remain in southern Lebanon, where it has occupied up to 10 kilometers from the border, rejecting any immediate pullback despite the US-Iran deal [176669]. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah are parties to the US-Iran agreement [176669].

The violence has complicated the diplomatic process. Planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland were cancelled after Vice President J.D. Vance pulled out of the meeting [176396][176534]. Iran is now questioning the purpose of continuing peace talks following the Israeli escalation [173206]. US President Donald Trump urged no further attacks after Israel bombed Hezbollah targets in Beirut, writing on social media that "the attack on Beirut should not have happened" [172619].