How two ceasefires and opening of Hormuz could boost Iran talks

How two ceasefires and opening of Hormuz could boost Iran talks9 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul AdamsDiplomatic correspondentReutersDisplaced people began returning home to southern Lebanon after the ceasefire announcementWith not one, but two ceasefires in place across the Middle East, is the scene now set for a pair of historic breakthroughs?The ceasefires - in Iran and Lebanon - are both described as "shaky" (ceasefires generally are), but as the din of war fades away once more, this is a moment pregnant with opportunity. And risk.On the face of it, last night's announcement of a 10-day pause in the fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah, is a win for Iran.The regime in Tehran had demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon, saying talks with the US could not be expected to progress without it.With the pause now in place, Iran has responded, declaring the Strait of Hormuz "completely open".As last weekend's marathon negotiating session in Islamabad showed, progress was in fact possible, even as the fighting in Lebanon continued (with Israel merely avoiding further attacks on Beirut). But Iran and Pakistan both insisted that Lebanon must be included.That has now happened, much to the fury of Israelis living close to the northern border who believe that their Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has caved in to American pressure, rather than making sure Hezbollah never fires another rocket at their country.For some in Israel, the ceasefire plays right into Iran's hand, allowing Israel's mortal enemy to dictate the course of events."The ceasefire effectively puts Israel's stamp of approval on the very situation the country had been trying to avoid: legitimising the link between Iran and the Lebanese theatre of operations," Shirit Avitan Cohen of the popular right-wing daily Israel Hayom wrote this morning."Yesterday, Hezbollah also received final confirmation that its master,...