As the ceasefire remained fragile on Friday, Iranian and American negotiators prepared for high-level talks, while Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire and Tehran maintained its grip on the Strait of Hormuz. Many points of friction could still derail the truce, as well as negotiations to reach a broader agreement to definitively end the war.
The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim, close to the Revolutionary Guards, stated that the planned talks on Saturday would not take place unless Israel ended its attacks in Lebanon. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump complained that Iran was doing a “very bad job” by not allowing the free movement of ships in the strait, through which 20% of the world’s commercial oil used to pass.
Despite these clashes, preparations for talks between Iran and the United States in Pakistan appear to be moving forward. Vice President J.D. Vance is set to depart from Washington. Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin next week in Washington, according to an American official and a person close to the matter.
Direct Negotiations
Israel’s insistence on excluding Hezbollah from the truce with Iran threatened to derail the agreement. On the day the truce was announced, Israel bombed Beirut with airstrikes, killing over 300 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. This was the deadliest day in the country since the start of the war on February 28.
President Trump stated on Thursday that he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce the intensity of the strikes. On Friday, the Israeli army reportedly struck about 10 launchers in Lebanon that had fired rockets towards northern Israel the day before.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned on Thursday that continued Israeli attacks on Hezbollah would result in “explicit costs and firm responses.” Netanyahu, on the other hand, assured that he had authorized negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible” to disarm Hezbollah militants and establish relations between the two neighboring countries, which have been technically at war since the creation of Israel in 1948.
Point of Friction
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran led to a surge in oil prices, a drop in stock markets, and upheaval in the global economy. Tehran’s control of this waterway has proven its greatest strategic advantage in this war. The spot price of Brent, the international benchmark, was around $97 on Friday, up over 30% since the start of the conflict. Context: The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial sea passage for global oil transport. Fact Check: The information is accurate based on public data sources.
Fragile Ceasefire
Questions still linger regarding the fate of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, which the United States and Israel sought to eliminate by entering the conflict. Fact Check: The United States is concerned about Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Iran claims its program is peaceful. Fact Check: The information is accurate based on public statements and positions. President Trump complained about Iran allowing oil passage through the Strait of Hormuz, stating it was not the agreement they had reached. Context: The United States aims to curb Iran’s nuclear program and restrict uranium enrichment. Fact Check: The information is accurate based on public statements.
Casualties and Impact
Over 3,000 individuals have been killed in Iran since the war began, according to a senior Iranian medical official. The Iranian government has not provided a final death toll. In Lebanon, over 1,888 people have been killed, and a million have been displaced. More than a dozen individuals have died in the Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, while 23 civilians have been killed in Israel. Thirteen American soldiers have also been killed. Context: The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement.
Journalists’ Contribution
Reporters from the Associated Press in various locations, including Hong Kong, Washington, Salt Lake City, and Beirut, contributed to this dispatch. Jon Gambrell and Sam Mednick reported from The Associated Press. Context: Multiple journalists and news agencies contributed to the coverage of the ongoing conflict.
Fact Check notes have been provided where relevant to ensure accuracy and context in the article.
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