On April 8 local time, the Strait of Hormuz resumed navigation and ships were passing through normally. What was supposed to be the “first day of peace” under the US-Iran temporary ceasefire agreement. But the Israeli military suddenly launched the largest air strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon, directly shattering the brief illusion of a ceasefire. Iran immediately suspended the passage of oil tankers through the strait, adding more uncertainties to the market.

The Israeli defense minister stated that the target of this strike was “hundreds of Hezbollah members”, and the scale was unprecedented: 50 Israeli fighter jets dropped about 160 bombs on 100 targets in Lebanon within just 10 minutes.

Iran responded strongly to this sudden air strike, accusing it of seriously violating the US-Iran temporary ceasefire agreement. As a countermeasure, Iran once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a global energy artery, and publicly threatened to take targeted deterrent actions against Israeli military targets in response to its “open provocation”.

On one side, the ceasefire agreement was broken on its first day of effect. On the other side, the negotiations collapsed before they even started. The glimmer of hope for peace in the Middle East has once again dimmed.

At present, Iran has clearly expressed its “complete distrust” of the US. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has further intensified global energy and economic pressure. Meanwhile, the continuous strikes by the Israeli military may also trigger a strong counterattack from Hezbollah in Lebanon, further escalating regional conflicts.