https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2026/06/the-middle-east-hormuz-and-the-new-mercantilism/

29 Jun 2026

The provisional surrender document signed by Donald Trump appeared to represent
a triumph for Iran and indeed for the world; but neither the USA nor Israel has
the slightest sense of honour and they cannot be trusted to negotiate in good
faith.

Iran knows this - after all, the USA twice attacked Iran actually during peace
negotiations, on each occasion killing key Iranian negotiators.

To understand the American position, it is important to realise two key points:
* Greater Israel is an absolute priority
* Opening the Strait of Hormuz is not a US priority

While the US/Israeli alliance were defeated in their attempt to impose regime
change on Iran, and indeed have consolidated the popular support of the Iranian
government, they have succeeded in expanding Greater Israel. Israel has
ethnically cleared and devastated a vast swathe of Southern Lebanon, expanding
its military footprint, and notably attempting to repeat its ploy from November
2024 of pushing forward its armour under cover of ceasefire.

Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon has been a major negotiating point for
the Iranian government and is a key - indeed the very first - point of the
Iran/USA MOU. But in an extraordinary coup aimed at negating that deal, the USA
has signed a deal with Israel and its puppet Aoun regime in Lebanon which seeks
to legitimise Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon through the agreement of
the "Lebanese government".

This is an astonishing development. I did not think I could have a lower opinion
of the appalling bloated traitor "General" "President" Aoun but not even I - nor
I think any commentator - believed he would make such a deal with Israel. The
plan is that the Americans, Israelis and Lebanese Army will act together to
forcibly eliminate Hezbollah, and only after that is certified - by the Israelis
- will the Israelis withdraw from Southern Lebanon.

Cont'd