US AND IRAN REACH CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT AS ISRAEL EXPRESSES CONCERN

The United States and Iran have reached a memorandum of understanding to end their military conflict, according to announcements from officials in both countries. The agreement includes provisions to halt the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. A formal signing of the agreement is scheduled for Friday in Switzerland. The ceasefire follows a joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began in late February.

The agreement leaves several matters unresolved, including the status of Iran's nuclear programme, which remains subject to further negotiations. According to reports, the deal does not require Iran to cease production of its ballistic missile arsenal or address its network of proxy forces across the Middle East, known as the "Axis of Resistance," which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was signed in early April, though fighting has continued in southern Lebanon in recent weeks.

Israeli officials and commentators have expressed concern that the agreement sidelines Israel and fails to achieve the war aims promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Many Israelis worry the ceasefire leaves their security vulnerable and their relationship with the United States strained. Some observers have stated that the agreement may restrict Israel's ability to respond to ongoing attacks by Hezbollah against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and communities near the Israeli-Lebanese border.