The United States and Iran paused attacks for a second night, while Lebanon's army said shelling and clearance operations were preventing a planned security handover in the south.
Geopolitics··Morning
Reciprocal strikes stop for a second night
The United States and Iran refrained from striking each other for a second night after two weeks of nightly attacks. Iran's army said it had halted retaliatory operations, while the US ambassador to the United Nations said Donald Trump was allowing room for talks. An Omani delegation was in Tehran discussing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with Qatar and Pakistan also carrying messages. The continuing US naval blockade and vessel interventions in the strait mean the pause in air attacks has not produced complete calm at sea.[1]
Lebanon's handover schedule stalls
Lebanon's army said it could not complete deployment to three southern villages chosen for the first phase of a US-backed agreement. It said Israeli shelling, bulldozing and clearance operations were delaying the troops and preventing residents from returning, while a water facility in Markaba and farmland near Aitaroun were damaged. The army entered the first pilot zone on 22 July. Israel has not provided a clear withdrawal schedule, and Hezbollah rejects the agreement while demanding an unconditional withdrawal.[2]
Less fire does not complete implementation
The developments belong to different agreements but show separate stages of reduced regional tension. The US-Iran halt gives mediators space, yet enforcement continues around Hormuz. In Lebanon, continuing fire and an unclear withdrawal schedule obstruct a signed handover. The day's picture is therefore not one region-wide ceasefire: it combines temporary reciprocity on one track with a handover arrangement still awaiting implementation on another.[1], [2]
Related columns
For more information on this topic, you can read the related columns.
