LOS ANGELES (oc).–Lebanon-based, Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia rejected a cease fired agreement between Israel and Lebanon, showing that there’s little that can be done to satisfy the Tehran-based Shiite mullah regime, claiming that Israel’s war in Lebanon prevents and end to the Iran War. President Donald Trump finds himself in the thick of it with Iran, trying to placate the mullahs, and, at the same time, sign on to a face-saving deal for himself. Trump finds himself confused what his top priorities should be, either a commitment on the nuke issue or trading cash-and-sanctions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s terrorist harassment of commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf has left a backlog of ship unable to transit the Strait, leaving shortages of oil, natural gas, helium and fertizlizer, creating skyrocketing prices and shortages of essential commodities.
Hezbollah’s refusal to accept any ceasefire in Lebanon shows that the terrorist group wants to keep the war going indefinitely. Iran has every reason to end the conflict with its economy and currency in free fall, dealing with 80% inflation and 700% decline in the value of the Iranian rial currency. Hezbollah wants to keep the war going to remain relevant, despite the ongoing damage done to the Iranian economy. Hezbollah has only revenge for Israel having liquidated its Supreme Leader Hassan Nasrallah Sept. 27, 2024 and much of its senior leadership. Hezbollah inhabits southern Lebanon, not because they’re invited to stay in the country but because it’s based in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah’s new leader Naim Qassem rejected any peace deal made in made between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Trump can’t let Hezbollah decide whether or not he can end the Iran War by rejecting any attempt by Israel and Lebanon to resolve its differences. “The announced agreement is a roadmap for the destruction of par of the Lebanese people and the subjugation of the rest,” Qassem said, rejecting any agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv. Hezbollah rejects the idea of “resistance or retaliation” when it comes to Israel. Qassem wants to continue the war with Israel because it’s the only path forward. Qassem cannot accept any truce with Israel because tt’s commissioned,like Hamas,to destroy the Jewish state. Netanyahu views Hezbollah the same as Hamas, though Hezbollah are not Palestinians. “We reject any link between the existence of the resistance and the end of aggression or the withdrawal of Israel,” Qassem said, refusing to accept any deal between Israel and Lebanon.
Trump has to face the fact that Iran’s radical mullah regime backs Hezbollah as one of its many proxy groups to fight U.S. and Israel in the region. Whether Trump wants to or no, he may have to end the cease fire and start bombing Iran’s energy infrastructure. Iran thinks it can call the shots on the Iran War, knowing its IRGC armed swift boat fleet can continue to harrasss commecial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. At the very least, Trump should direct the U.S. navy to go after the IRGC in the Hormuz Strait and Persian Gfd. Iran had an advantage working the Strait of Hormuz for years, especially not that it’s at war with the U.S. Trump has been hoping he could reason with Islamabad, trying to find a political settlement to the war rather that escalate it. Iran’s mullah act like they’re in charge of keeping the war going indefinitely, refusing to cooperate with Trump.
Hezbollah wants the Israeli military out of Lebanon but it doesn’t agree demand to get Hezbollah out of Lebanon. Lebanese officials are intimidated by Hezbollah if they say anything derogatory about the Iranian-backed terror group. Netanyahu has his run-around with Trump over continuing the bombing when Iran claimed its prevented a peace deal. Trump has learned firsthand that it’simpossible to negotiate with Iran or Hezbollah for that matter, knowing that terrorist states or groups do not fulfill agreements. Whatever the ceasefire agreed to by Israel and Beirut, it’s not accepted by Hezbollah, largely because it’s only chartered to destroy the Jewish State. With so many war with Israel, it’s impossible to arrange any deal to end conflict when both sides feel equally committed to their cause. Netanyahu doesn’t want to halt his military campaign in Lebanon.
Trump faces some unappealing choices to end the stalemate that now has Iran calling the shots in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump can’t sit by an wait for Iran to agree to a peace deal when they seek only retaliation against the United States and Israel. Whether he wants to or not, Iran is forcing Trump’s had to restart the bombing campaign, this time targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. Whether Trump goes after desalination plants or not, Iran hasn’t learned who’s in charge of the war. Blockading the Hormuz Strait can’t go on much longer with damage to world energy markets, driving up prices and creating shortages of oil, natural gas, helium and fertilizer Trump has let Iran run amok in Strait of Hormuz and its time to show what the U.S. navy can do to neutralize Iran’s terrorist acts. So far, there’s no sign that Iran is ready-or-willing to sign any peace deal.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically netural commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodgng The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
