Trump announces US-Iran 'deal' claim as analyst says Iran gains strategic leverage over Lebanon
US President Donald Trump announced what he described as a “peace deal” with Iran, while Tehran said the agreement also includes a ceasefire in Lebanon
US President Donald Trump announced what he described as a “peace deal” with Iran, while Tehran said the agreement also includes a ceasefire in Lebanon. Israeli forces still occupy dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of trying to undermine the agreement on the ground. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Lorenzo Trombetta, a journalist and senior analyst for ANSA, said that from an Iranian perspective, the deal represents a concrete strategic gain, as Lebanon is now folded directly into the Iran–US equation rather than remaining solely an Israeli–Hezbollah conflict.
He said Iran wants Lebanon’s future decided between Tehran and Washington, ensuring Hezbollah’s role becomes part of a negotiated settlement rather than something resolved unilaterally by Israel. However, Trombetta said it is unclear whether Israel will adhere to the deal’s terms. He noted that since mid-April, the term “ceasefire” has described very different realities on the ground. In southern Lebanon, he said, there is effectively no ceasefire, with Israeli forces still present deep inside Lebanese territory.
Beirut, he added, operates under a different logic, where strikes are avoided as long as Hezbollah does not target Israel. Trombetta said Israel’s government continues to maintain an aggressive posture toward Hezbollah, influenced by domestic political considerations and upcoming elections. He said ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir are pushing hardline positions, while the broader strategy reflects a shift away from the traditional Israeli security doctrine of deterrence through territorial depth. On international leverage, he said he does not see the United States or Europe exerting meaningful pressure on Israel.
While Washington holds military leverage, he argued it has rarely been willing to use it due to Israel’s strategic importance, leaving limited external tools to constrain Israeli actions in Lebanon. Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
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