Global leaders welcome long-awaited US-Iran peace deal

While the US-Iran agreement to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz is offering relief to the global economy, tensions remain high in the Middle East, with the Israeli military striking Beirut suburbs in the lead-up to the US-Iran deal.

Global leaders, meanwhile, welcome the deal, with European countries asking for the "unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation" in the Strait of Hormuz.

In California, protesters gather to object the deal with the Islamic regime, saying it does not reflect the will of the Iranian people.

Tensions remain high at the Israeli Lebanese border as Iran and the US move towards a deal to end the Iran war.

Tehran, which is Hezbollah's main backer, insists any US-Iran ceasefire deal must also include an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

But the fighting continues.

The Israeli military says it launched strikes on Beirut, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure on the eve of the US-Iran deal.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces the strikes were in response to Hezbollah attacks in northern Israel.

Israel continues to occupy large swaths of southern Lebanon while battling Hezbollah fighters, causing civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited peace deal receives positive responses from global leaders.

China's Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lin Jian commends efforts from all parties as well as Pakistani mediators and says China is ready to take an active role in the efforts to restore peace in the Middle East.

"We hope the document will be signed as planned and all relevant parties will stay committed to peaceful solutions and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiations. China stands ready to join the international community in playing an active role in restoring peace and tranquility in the Middle East and Gulf region at an early date," Lin says.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says in a post on social media he warmly congratulates the US and Iran for having reached a peace deal that provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a framework for further negotiations.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas calls the deal a first step towards sustained peace in the region.

"Of course, there is the deal that has been announced now by the US and Iran that is much welcomed by everybody. It is the first phase to open the Strait of Hormuz and then move on to the negotiations on the critical topics like the nuclear issue, but also other critical issues that are important for the stability and peace in the region," she says.

In a joint statement, Britain, France, Germany and Italy say Iran "must never acquire a nuclear weapon," and that they are "prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear programme."

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara echoes similar sentiments and hopes "the memorandum will be properly implemented," while urging Iran to ensure the safe navigation of the Strait of Hormuz for vessels of all countries.

In California, these protestors who are skeptics of the agreement are voicing concerns over the legitimacy of the deal.

This protestor says she's "not happy to sign any deal" with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp.

"This is not the government of the people of Iran, because there is no free election inside Iran. The people inside of the Iran, they not believe this is their regime. And Trump promised us to help people of Iran who died on the street and I'm not seeing with this contract he keep his promise to people of my country," the protester says.