On Tuesday, the U.S. and Iran and (sort of) Israel agreed to a two-week cease-fire after more than 38 days of war. One day later, plenty of big complex questions remain. For one, the war isn’t over, the cease-fire isn’t fully effective, and in Lebanon, where Israel has refused to observe the agreement, the bombing is increasing. Then there is the Strait of Hormuz, which remains under Iranian control and still hasn’t really reopened. There’s also the matter of how far apart the U.S. and Iran are when it comes to war-ending demands ahead of actually sitting down at the negotiating table. Here’s the latest reporting, commentary, and analysis on the aftermath of the cease-fire agreement and what may come next.

Israel was angry it wasn’t consulted about cease-fire

The Wall Street Journal confirms that Israel was left in the dark:

Israel, which wasn’t formally part of the Iran negotiations, wasn’t happy that it got word that a deal was finalized at a late stage and wasn’t consulted, according to mediators and a person familiar with the matter. … Mediators said Israeli officials weren’t happy with the terms, including the planned inclusion of Lebanon in the agreement, as Israel considers Iran and Lebanon separate arenas.

Israel, which wasn’t formally part of the Iran negotiations, wasn’t happy that it got word that a deal was finalized at a late stage and wasn’t consulted, according to mediators and a person familiar with the matter. … Mediators said Israeli officials weren’t happy with the terms, including the planned inclusion of Lebanon in the agreement, as Israel considers Iran and Lebanon separate arenas.

So Israel basically just decided to ignore that part of the cease-fire agreement, launched a massive new wave of airstrikes on Lebanon, and this morning Trump gave their interpretation his blessing.

Iranian media report says Hormuz is now closed again

The passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz was halted as a consequence of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported. Two oil tankers transited the strait safely early Wednesday morning after receiving Iran’s authorization, Fars said.

The passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz was halted as a consequence of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported. Two oil tankers transited the strait safely early Wednesday morning after receiving Iran’s authorization, Fars said.

The Financial Times reported earlier that Iran wants every ship transiting the strait to pay a toll in cryptocurrency as well as the opportunity to assess what the ships are carrying, according to Iranian oil export official Hamid Hosseini:

Iran will demand that shipping companies pay tolls in cryptocurrency for laden oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as it seeks to retain control over passage through the key waterway during the two-week ceasefire. …Decisions on the conditions for passing the strait are taken by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Hosseini’s remarks suggest Iran will require any tankers to use the northerly route close to its coastline, raising questions over whether western or Gulf state-linked vessels will be willing to risk transit.Hosseini said that each tanker must email authorities about its cargo, after which Iran will inform them of the toll to be paid in digital currencies. He said that the tariff is $1 per barrel of oil, adding that empty tankers can pass freely.

Iran will demand that shipping companies pay tolls in cryptocurrency for laden oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as it seeks to retain control over passage through the key waterway during the two-week ceasefire. …

Decisions on the conditions........

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