Israel’s moves threaten US-Iran peace deal

THE recently signed historic US–Iran Peace Accord—successfully mediated by Pakistan and widely welcomed by the international community—has evidently become extremely difficult for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Knesset to accept. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government appear determined to pursue actions that, in the eyes of many observers, risk undermining the peace agreement. Despite US President Donald Trump’s reported warning against launching attacks on Lebanon, Israel has continued military operations targeting Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, resulting in civilian casualties and further escalating regional tensions. If the United States wishes to preserve the recently concluded US–Iran Peace Accord—achieved through the persistent diplomatic efforts of Pakistan and its partners—and prevent the Middle East from once again sliding toward a potentially devastating conflict, it must make every possible effort to ensure an immediate halt to further military escalation against Lebanon. It is encouraging to learn that the United States has reportedly begun taking positive steps in this direction. According to media reports, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would end its long-standing military protection of Israel, asserting that the country must increasingly rely on its own resources for its defence. If implemented, such a policy would mark a significant shift in Washington’s approach to the Middle East. In one of his video interviews, President Trump also reportedly made a series of emphatic remarks regarding Israel. He stated, “Without the United States, there would be no Israel,” adding, “Without me, there would be no Israel, because no other President was willing to do what I did.” Reflecting further on the issue, he said that while he had enjoyed a strong relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, he believed Netanyahu now needed to act more responsibly with regard to Lebanon. Pr