Israel and US deny Lebanon included in Iran ceasefire deal

A number of headlines report that Israel has backed a US proposal for a two-week pause in strikes on Iran, but insists that this ceasefire does not include Lebanon. The Israeli Prime Minister's office explicitly stated that the deal 'does not include Lebanon', and both the US and Israel have denied claims that Lebanon was part of the agreement.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Iran may abandon the ceasefire if Israel continues its attacks in Lebanon. Some international voices, including US economist Jeffrey Sachs, have criticized Israel's actions in Lebanon, calling the country a 'rogue state'. Greece also described the Israeli attacks as 'completely counterproductive'.

The situation remains tense, with uncertainty over the status of the Hormuz Strait and conflicting statements about the scope of the ceasefire. The core story is the dispute over whether Lebanon is included in the US-brokered pause between Israel and Iran.