EVIAN-LES-BAINS/NABATIEH, June 17 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – United States President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that his new ceasefire agreement with Iran remains a memorandum of understanding, noting that he retains the option to resume the war if he is not satisfied with the outcome. This warning comes as Israel continues to conduct fresh airstrikes in Lebanon, where persistent combat threatens to undermine the wider truce.
Speaking at the G7 summit in France, President Trump described the agreement, which was reached three days ago, as a preliminary arrangement. He emphasized that the situation remains fluid and contingent upon the behavior of the parties involved.
“It’s a memorandum of understanding. And if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head,” President Trump said.
Ongoing military action in Lebanon
Leaders gathered at the summit in the French town of Evian-les-Bains called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. The current memorandum of understanding seeks to halt the fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, a conflict that has resulted in the displacement of over a million people.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting has continued across southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media reported that Israeli forces carried out multiple airstrikes and artillery bombardments throughout Wednesday. The operations targeted several towns, causing significant damage.
In the southern city of Nabatieh, the scale of destruction is extensive. Buildings within the city have been reduced to ruins, creating a landscape that local observers noted resembles the devastation seen in the Gaza Strip. The city, which sits below a medieval castle previously seized by Israeli forces, had seen a small number of residents attempt to return to their homes recently. However, the renewed intensity of the strikes has forced these individuals to flee once more.
Strained relations over the truce
Israel, which was not a party to the negotiations between Washington and Tehran, has maintained its position that it reserves the right to use force. While the agreement reached on Sunday was intended to stabilize the region, military activity on both sides of the border persists. Lebanese security sources confirmed that Hezbollah launched two drone attacks against Israeli forces in the south, though the group did not issue a public claim for these specific actions.
The memorandum of understanding extends an earlier ceasefire announced in April by another 60 days. This period is intended to provide space for the negotiation of a permanent truce. However, the exact terms remain shielded from public view three days after the signing.
The agreement has highlighted a growing diplomatic rift between the United States and Israel. President Trump has engaged in public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the ongoing military campaigns. Furthermore, Iran has argued that the ceasefire must include an end to all hostilities in Lebanon and lead to an Israeli withdrawal, a demand that Israel has explicitly rejected.
G7 leaders, while expressing support for the deal, have emphasized their own concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program. In a joint statement, the group underscored the necessity of negotiations to address regional threats and prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The coalition aims to assist in the implementation of the accord, with Britain and France prepared to support shipping security once the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened. As the diplomatic process continues, the volatility on the ground in southern Lebanon remains a primary concern for international observers.
