Macron calls for a “moratorium on energy and civil infrastructure.” The President of the Republic indicated that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to confirm France’s “commitment to contribute to the defense of Saudi territory.” He also urges “all belligerents” to agree “to implement a moratorium on energy and civil infrastructure,” at a time when the United States threatens to target Iranian power plants. The French president calls on Iran to restore “freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” “The time calls for responsibility and restraint,” he insists.
Israel to “intensify targeted ground operations” in Lebanon. Israel’s army will “intensify targeted ground operations” and strikes in Lebanon, warned its chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. “The operation against the terrorist organization Hezbollah is just beginning (…) It is a long-term operation and we are prepared for it,” he also stated.
Israeli Defense Forces target bridges in Lebanon. The Israeli army announced that it had launched “a wave of strikes” against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, shortly after warning that troops had been ordered to destroy bridges. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced these strikes. “These attacks represent a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and are seen as a prelude to a ground invasion.”
Iran threatens to completely close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran stated on Sunday that it would completely close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supply, if Washington follows through on its threat to target Iranian power plants. If that were the case, the strait “will not reopen until we have rebuilt our destroyed power plants,” warned the joint inter-services command center Khatam al-Anbiya. Iran is already blocking the strait, where cargo transit has decreased by 95% since early March, according to the analysis firm Kpler. However, a small number of cargo ships and tankers have managed to pass through.
