Benjamin Netanyahu defends Beirut strikes while Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz amid disputes over ceasefire terms.
April 9, 2026: Israel carried out one of its deadliest strikes in recent weeks on central Beirut, with the death toll reported between 182 and 250. Following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue targeting Hezbollah “wherever necessary.” The strikes came just hours after Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, raising immediate questions about the scope of the truce.
In response, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, reversing its earlier decision to reopen it for two weeks under the ceasefire arrangement. Confusion persists over whether Lebanon is part of the agreement. While Netanyahu has stated that Lebanon is excluded, Shehbaz Sharif—who is hosting upcoming talks in Islamabad—suggested that the ceasefire also covers Lebanon.
Iranian leaders have strongly reacted to the escalation, insisting that peace in Lebanon is central to any broader agreement. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the United States must choose between maintaining the ceasefire or continuing the conflict through Israel. President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a key condition in Tehran’s peace plan, even as diplomatic efforts continue amid rising regional tensions.