HALIFAX – A recently announced ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is being challenged by ongoing conflict in Lebanon, according to a CBC News broadcast Friday.

According to the broadcast, Israel disputes claims that the ceasefire extends to Lebanon, despite statements from Pakistani mediators suggesting it does. Israel immediately refuted the Pakistani claim and escalated attacks on Lebanon, resulting in over 200 Lebanese deaths and more than 1,000 injuries, primarily among civilians.

Conflicting Interpretations of the Ceasefire

During the broadcast, Fawaz Jurgis, chair of Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, stated that the ceasefire is “very fragile” and marked by “huge divide” between the United States and Iran, as well as “diplomatic ambiguity.” Jurgis added that Israel’s actions in the past 48 hours have “multiplied the risks to the ceasefire,” describing it as a “strategic qualitative escalation.”

According to reports from the Associated Press and human rights organizations cited during the broadcast, the majority of those killed and injured in Lebanon are civilians. The Italian president reportedly condemned Israel’s actions as violations of the ceasefire, and the Pakistani prime minister, who mediated between the U.S. and Iran, also condemned the escalation in Lebanon.

U.S.-Israel Relations and Iranian Response

Jurgis suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s escalation is linked to his domestic political situation and upcoming elections. He claimed, citing a New York Times investigative article, that Netanyahu and the Mossad convinced President Trump to pursue a regime change in Iran, and that Netanyahu is now risking Israel’s security.

According to the broadcast, Iran has reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, threatening vital oil shipments. Iran has stated that safe passage through the Strait will require coordination with Iranian armed forces and consideration of “technical limitations,” which some speculate could refer to mines.

The broadcast also reported that Iran may be charging ships for safe passage through the Strait, with some reports indicating fees as high as $2 million. Oman reportedly denied plans to profit from tanker traffic through the Strait.

During the broadcast, a U.S. official avoided directly addressing Iran’s conditions for reopening the Strait, stating only that commerce will flow and that the military is monitoring the situation. The official also stated that the ceasefire is focused on Iran and America’s allies, Israel and Gulf Arab states.