TEHRAN: Iran has announced that it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli military attacks in southern Lebanon, a claim that has been challenged by the United States.
According to Iranian authorities, the Israeli strikes violated the terms of a recent agreement between Tehran and Washington aimed at ending the conflict. The agreement includes provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass.
However, the US military rejected Iran’s assertion. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command, said commercial shipping continues to move through the waterway and that US forces are closely monitoring the situation to ensure uninterrupted navigation. He also stressed that Iran does not have control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, US Vice-President JD Vance left Washington on Saturday for Switzerland, where he is scheduled to hold direct talks with Iranian officials on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters before his departure, Vance said he hoped discussions would lead to progress on both Iran’s nuclear program and efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Lebanon.
Commenting on recent clashes between Israel and Hezbollah and Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, Vance said the situation appeared to be improving and that tensions had begun to ease.
He added that continued diplomatic engagement would be necessary to ensure the security of both Israel and Lebanon, emphasizing that regional stability remains the primary objective.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran expects all parties involved to honor their commitments under the agreement.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to attend the opening session of the talks, according to his office. Pakistan has played a mediating role throughout the conflict and previously hosted a round of US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad in April.
Earlier this week, the presidents of the United States and Iran signed a preliminary agreement intended to end the conflict, including hostilities in Lebanon. The deal took immediate effect and includes a commitment to continue negotiations over the next 60 days in pursuit of a comprehensive settlement.
(Inputs from BBC)
Comment