Israeli spanner in the works

In what seems to be a proverbial slip between the cup and the lip, the formal signing of the US-Iran peace deal in Switzerland stands postponed. As anticipated, Israel threw a spanner in the works by launching strikes on Lebanon on Thursday that killed dozens - an act widely seen as a direct violation of the complete cessation of hostilities agreed upon by Iran and the US. This setback follows Wednesday's electronic signing of the 'Islamabad MoU' by Washington and Tehran, which was formally endorsed by Pakistan as the mediating signatory.

The talks at the picturesque Bürgenstock Resort, scheduled to be held yesterday, were abruptly called off, sending shockwaves through all stakeholders involved in the peace process. Crucially, however, the 14-point framework remains intact, and the maritime security modalities established for the Strait of Hormuz continue to hold. A final comprehensive format of the deal is expected to be finalised within 60 days, with Pakistan and Qatar continuing their roles as honest brokers.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes on more than 80 Hezbollah targets in Nabatieh and southern Lebanon have derailed diplomatic momentum. Driven by calls from far-right cabinet members to devastate Lebanon following the killing of four Israeli soldiers, the escalation sparked outrage in Tehran. Iranian Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that future talks remain bound by "Tehran's red lines", and that Iran is "keeping its finger on the trigger". This friction exposes deep-seated nervousness within a peace process heavily strained by Iranian skepticism toward Washington and Israel.

These critical factors must be addressed immediately to preserve months of diplomatic labour and ensure the warring sides return to the negotiating table. US Vice President JD Vance provided a reality check by warning Israeli critics to "wake up and smell the reality" before attacking the US-led agreement. Vance has bluntly reminded PM Netanyahu that it is American tax-payers' money, technology and arsenal that is defending the vulnerable security-scared state. One hopes these words of caution to the Zionist war-mongers will not fall on deaf ears.