Iran on Wednesday accused the United States of violating the framework of a Pakistan-brokered, conditional two-week ceasefire after Israeli strikes continued in Lebanon, threatening to jeopardize fragile talks aimed at ending a monthlong war that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran found three breaches of its 10-point conditions for a ceasefire, citing continued Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, an alleged drone incursion into Iranian airspace after the truce took effect, and U.S. insistence that Iran give up enrichment capabilities. Iran’s foreign ministry and other officials have signaled the possibility of withdrawing from the deal if Israeli strikes persist.
Pakistan has offered to host direct U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad to finalize a lasting agreement. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan briefly posted that an Iranian delegation would arrive Thursday night for talks based on Iran’s 10 points, then deleted the message; an embassy official said the post was premature. The U.S. confirmed Vice President J.D. Vance will lead American negotiators in Islamabad this weekend, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reported to be part of the team.
A central dispute is whether the ceasefire covers Lebanon. Tehran and Pakistan say the 10-point Iranian plan calls for halting hostilities “on all fronts, including Lebanon.” The United States and Israeli leaders have repeatedly said the U.S.-Iran agreement does not include Israel’s parallel campaign against Hezbollah. Israel has continued strikes across Lebanon, including a concentrated barrage that the Israel Defense Forces said struck 100 Hezbollah targets in 10 minutes. Lebanon’s health ministry reported heavy casualties during the wave of strikes; at least 182 dead and hundreds wounded were reported in a single day, the deadliest since fighting intensified.
Hezbollah has fired rockets into northern Israel in response to the strikes. The group said it attacked Manara early Thursday and vowed to continue until what it called Israeli-American aggression stops. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue operations against Hezbollah and that the ceasefire with Iran does not constrain that campaign.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would respect the ceasefire but remain “with fingers on the trigger,” and it reported destroying an advanced Hermes 900 drone over Fars province, warning that any U.S. or Israeli overflight would constitute a ceasefire violation. Tasnim and other Iranian outlets reported the country might exit the truce should Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.
Maritime concerns have been central to the deal. President Trump tied the U.S. agreement to Iran’s reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced alternative routes for ships to avoid mines and told vessels they must still seek permission to transit the strait. MarineTraffic and other monitors recorded a gradual resumption of vessel movement after the ceasefire, with two ships transiting early Wednesday, but hundreds of tankers and other vessels remained in the region. Iran earlier warned of mines in the strait and signaled it might charge fees for transits. Japan, South Korea and others moved to ensure safe passage for their fleets.
Global markets responded to the truce: oil fell sharply below $100 a barrel and equities rallied worldwide, with U.S. futures and major Asian and European markets climbing on hopes the crisis might ease supply disruptions. The IMF, World Bank and U.N. food agency warned that transport bottlenecks and higher energy and fertilizer prices stemming from the war had already heightened global food insecurity.
Diplomatic responses were swift. The U.N. secretary-general warned that Israeli activity in Lebanon “poses a grave risk” to the ceasefire and urged immediate cessation of hostilities. European leaders welcomed the ceasefire and urged rapid progress toward a substantive agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and regional threats. Pakistan’s prime minister urged restraint to allow diplomacy to proceed.
In Washington, the White House said U.S. military assets and personnel in the region would remain in place while negotiations continue. President Trump posted on social media that U.S. forces and equipment would stay “in, and around, Iran” until any final agreement is fully complied with and warned of renewed, larger strikes if terms are not met. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials framed the pause as a tactical opening, saying the U.S. remains prepared to act if Iran does not comply with U.S. demands; Hegseth also suggested Iran had “begged” for a ceasefire. Vice President Vance described the truce as a “fragile” one and said some Iranian figures were misrepresenting the deal.
In Congress, Democrats signaled continued efforts to reassert war powers. House Democrats said they would push a war powers resolution to limit the president’s authority to strike Iran further; Senate Democrats plan to force a vote next week aimed at curbing further hostilities and requiring congressional approval for military action.
Regional states reacted with concern and demands. The United Arab Emirates called for Iran to pay for damage caused by attacks on Gulf neighbors and sought clarity on how the ceasefire would guarantee an end to hostilities and reopening of the strait. Gulf states reported intercepting missiles and drones in the hours after the announcement; UAE and Kuwait reported defensive actions, and Iranian state media said explosions were heard on Gulf islands, including near a Lavan Island refinery.
Domestic political fallout in the U.S. continued: President Trump met NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte amid discussions that included U.S. frustration with allies’ roles, and some administration statements, including threats of tariffs on countries supplying weapons to Iran, added to tensions. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the president’s tough messaging, saying it produced results.
Humanitarian and civilian tolls mounted in Lebanon and elsewhere as fighting continued in parts of the region despite the ceasefire framework. Lebanon’s presidency condemned what it called “barbaric attacks,” and Lebanese officials insisted no party could negotiate on Lebanon’s behalf. The Israeli offensive and Hezbollah’s responses added to mounting casualties and displacement, complicating diplomatic efforts.
As Pakistan prepares to host talks, security has been heightened in Islamabad, with parts of the capital sealed off and extra police deployed. The timing of delegations’ arrival and the precise negotiating agenda remained fluid amid conflicting claims about what the ceasefire covers and who is bound by it. Observers warned the deal remains fragile: both sides reserve the right to resume military actions if their conditions are not met, and incidents on the ground — especially in Lebanon — threaten to unravel a tenuous diplomatic opening.