Here are the latest developments related to the war in the Middle East, following a ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s decision to relock the Strait of Hormuz in response to the American blockade.
– Shots and threats against ships, India summons Iranian ambassador
The Revolutionary Guards warned on Saturday that any ship approaching the Strait of Hormuz would be “targeted” by Tehran.
Several ships had recently come under fire and threats from Iranian forces while trying to cross. Among them were two Indian-flagged ships, according to New Delhi, which summoned the Iranian ambassador in response.
– Lebanon: Hezbollah promises to retaliate against Israeli attacks
The leader of the pro-Iranian Lebanese movement Hezbollah promised to retaliate against Israeli attacks in Lebanon, where a ceasefire is officially in effect.
“A ceasefire means a complete cessation of all hostilities. Since we do not trust this enemy, the resistance fighters will remain in the field, ready to respond to violations,” he said in a statement broadcast on television.
The Israeli military had earlier announced the establishment of a “red line” of demarcation in southern Lebanon, similar to Gaza, and “eliminated a terrorist cell” operating near its troops.
– Israel announces the death of a soldier
Israel announced on Saturday that one of its soldiers had been killed in an incident the day before in southern Lebanon, where a ceasefire with pro-Iranian Hezbollah is in effect. According to the Israeli news site Ynet, the incident occurred during a building demolition operation in southern Lebanon.
– Hezbollah denies attacking French peacekeepers
Hezbollah denied any involvement in the deadly attack on French peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, after France pointed the finger at them.
“Hezbollah denies any connection to the incident with the UNIFIL,” the pro-Iranian group said in a statement, urging caution before assigning blame.
French President Emmanuel Macron believed that “everything leads us to think” that Hezbollah was responsible for the attack, with UNIFIL also considering the possibility of “non-state actors,” likely Hezbollah.
– Iran says it has received new proposals from Washington and is examining them
Iran has received “new proposals” from the United States for discussions to end the war in the Middle East, the Supreme National Security Council said, adding that Iranian negotiators would make “no compromises.”
“In recent days, during the presence in Tehran of the commander of the Pakistani army, acting as a mediator, the Americans presented new proposals. Iran is currently examining them and has not yet responded,” said the council, quoted by the official news agency Irna.
– Trump denounces Iran’s “blackmail” over Hormuz
Donald Trump denounced “blackmail” after Tehran announced the resumption of blocking the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
“They cannot blackmail us,” he said. Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh had stated that the United States could not “impose a siege” on the Strait of Hormuz.
– Lebanon: Macron calls for “ensuring the security of peacekeepers”
Emmanuel Macron spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, asking them to “ensure the security of peacekeepers” after a French soldier was killed and three others were injured in an ambush against UN peacekeepers.
This is the second French soldier killed since the start of the war in late February. Two of the three wounded French soldiers are seriously injured, according to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
