US-Iran Cease-Fire Dispute Over Lebanon Threatens Two-Week Truce

A two-week cease-fire between the US and Iran is already showing cracks over a major disagreement about Lebanon. The truce was agreed to on Tuesday, but by Wednesday both sides were giving different versions of what they had actually agreed to.

The key dispute centers on whether Lebanon is protected under the cease-fire deal. US officials say Lebanon was never part of the agreement. Iranian leaders insist it was included from the start.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued bombing Lebanon, attacking more than 100 targets. Lebanese officials report 180 people were killed and 900 injured in the attacks. Iran wants to show it supports its allies in the region, including groups in Lebanon.

The cease-fire was worked out at the last minute on Tuesday after intense negotiations. But the different interpretations of what was agreed to are now threatening to unravel the entire deal.

Both Iran and the US have strong reasons to maintain the truce, but the Lebanon issue represents a significant gap between what each side thought they were agreeing to.