Correspondent on the fragile ceasefire: “War has come a big step closer again”

The situation between the USA and Iran remains tense. Despite the ceasefire, ORF correspondents Rosa Lyon and Christophe Kohl see signs of a new escalation.

Looking at the latest developments, Lyon said: “We have come a big step closer to war.” She referred to threats from Tehran and the insecurity surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which there are conflicting reports about whether it will be closed again.

Disagreement over Lebanon

From the Iranian perspective, the conditions for a ceasefire have been clearly formulated. Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi emphasized that an agreement must also include Lebanon. Lyon summarized the Iranian position as follows: The USA would have to decide “whether they want a ceasefire that includes Lebanon or not and whether they want to continue waging war over Israel.”

USA does not see Lebanon included

In Washington, on the other hand, there is a different reading. “In any case, there is a lot of confusion and differences of opinion about what was actually agreed upon,” said Kohl. US Vice President JD Vance recently made it clear that, from the US perspective, Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire.

At the same time, Vance emphasized that Israel had signaled its willingness to adapt its approach in Lebanon “in order to, quote, help us, meaning the USA, in the negotiations.” According to Kohl, whether Washington will actually put pressure on Israel will be crucial in the coming days.