FEARS continued to grow today that the deal to end the illegal and unprovoked war unleashed on the Iranians by the US and Israel could collapse just days after it was signed off.

The official signing ceremony and initial talks between the Iranians and the US, set to take place in Buergenstock in Switzerland today, was cancelled as the Israelis continued to pound southern Lebanon.

Israel’s military said today that its forces struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area, threatening the agreement between Iran and the US.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that at least 16 people were killed in Israeli air attacks, which the Israeli military said were ongoing. 

Israel, meantime, said four of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in southern Lebanon, including a lieutenant colonel.

The newly signed deal calls for an immediate halt to military operations “on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” and for ensuring Lebanon’s “territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

But Israel’s far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on Thursday that Israel’s military will stay in a “security zone” of southern Lebanon as long as “Israel’s security needs require it.”

Neither Israel or Hezbollah are parties to the memorandum of understanding reached by the US and Iran.

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told the IRNA news agency today that “if the enemy seeks to be excessive, we have proven that our fingers are on the trigger and we have no hesitation in giving a crushing response to the enemy.”

US President Donald Trump has been openly critical of Mr Netanyahu’s recent moves, saying the day before the agreement with Iran was signed that “without the US there would be no Israel.”

“Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did.”

He said it was now time for Mr Netanyahu “to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”

President Trump signed the initial pact with Iran on Wednesday while dining with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, which took immediate effect.

Following the signing, the US said it had lifted its blockade, allowing oil tankers to begin freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel. 

Despite its tough words about the actions of the Israelis, Iran appears to be holding up to its side of the bargain to facilitate open access to the strait.