19/06/2026 21:39 - Internacionales
Barcos comerciales navegando por el Estrecho de Ormuz con el sol poniente sobre el mar, tráfico naval restaurándose tras el acuerdo de paz
After a day of intense fighting that caused at least 47 deaths in Lebanon, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to renew the ceasefire on June 19, 2026, as reported by multiple sources to CNN. The truce went into effect at 4:00 PM local time and was mediated by the United States, Qatar and Iran.
The agreement aims to preserve the 14-point memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran on June 17, 2026, which establishes the cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had conditioned the continuation of technical talks on the cessation of combat on the Lebanese front.
Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, stated that Israel is "firmly committed to an immediate ceasefire" if Hezbollah respects the agreement and ceases hostilities. However, the IDF spokesperson, Effie Defrin, noted that Israeli troops will continue operating in southern Lebanon to "eliminate immediate threats".
Hezbollah legislator Ibrahim al-Moussawi declared to Al-Araby TV: "We will respect the ceasefire if Israel respects it, and we have the right to respond". A group leader accused Israel of attempting to sabotage the agreement between Iran and the United States.
President Joseph Aoun emphasized in conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the need for a "comprehensive ceasefire" to end all Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory.
President Donald Trump told NBC News that he urged Israel to accept the ceasefire. "It's something positive, it's like the cherry on top," he stated in reference to the agreement with Iran. Trump also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "warrior prime minister".
The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, indicated that they are working with mediators to reorganize the first round of technical talks with Washington. Iran demands as conditions: the end of the conflict in Lebanon, the lifting of the US blockade on its ports, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the elimination of sanctions, and the unfreezing of assets.
The 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran explicitly mentions the "immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon". Although the document cites "allies", it does not directly name Israel or Hezbollah, creating uncertainty about how the agreement will be implemented.
June 19 was the second deadliest day of the conflict in Lebanon since its inception, with at least 47 civilians killed, including two children, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The deadliest occurred on April 17 with 98 deaths.
Iran established new conditions for ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz through the newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). Vessels must register and obtain permits and insurance before entering the waterway.
On June 18, the highest vessel traffic since April was recorded: 25 vessels crossed the strait, according to firm AXSMarine. Pre-war levels averaged 110 vessels daily. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a 60-day toll-free period for commercial transit.
The first round of technical talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, was postponed indefinitely. Vice President J.D. Vance canceled his planned trip for the negotiations.
Presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Switzerland, and Jared Kushner is also expected to join the negotiations. Witkoff and Kushner led the initial negotiations that resulted in the memorandum of understanding.
| Actor | Position |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Netanyahu | The Israeli prime minister maintains an ambiguous position. His ambassador in Washington affirmed commitment to the ceasefire, but far-right officials like Itamar Ben Gvir declared that "all of Lebanon should burn". |
| Hezbollah | Agreed tentatively to avoid new conflicts, but warned it will respond to any Israeli aggression. |
| Barack Obama | The former US president stated that the United States might be "a little worse" than before the war, criticizing the decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement. |
The conflict between the United States and Iran began on February 28, 2026 and has left more than 3,700 dead.
The agreement signed on June 17 at the G7 in Versailles establishes:
Information based on reports from CNN, NBC News, Al-Araby TV, Lebanese Ministry of Health, and AXSMarine data.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
