• Source:JND

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday clarified that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is continuing as normal. The spokesperson added that the Iranian armed forces have taken necessary measures to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the key shipping route. This comes as Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have reportedly agreed to a ceasefire starting at 4 pm local time on Friday, following a sharp escalation of fighting in Lebanon. 

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

A senior US official told Reuters that “Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” adding that negotiators from the United States and Qatar worked out the deal with assistance from Iran. The official also said that after the exchange of fire earlier in the day, both sides are now in a ceasefire. Earlier, a Hezbollah lawmaker had also told the news agency that Iran had informed the group that talks with Washington could not continue unless a full ceasefire was implemented.

ALSO READ: Israel Launches Overnight Strikes On Lebanon Day After Iran-US Peace Deal Signing, 16 Killed

The escalation started after an overnight Israeli airstrike killed at least 18 people in Lebanon, while four Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon in one of the deadliest Hezbollah attacks of the conflict. 

Why is ceasefire important for Iran-US peace deal?

Iran also condemned Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, warning that they could seriously affect peace and security in the region and saying that the US bears direct responsibility for the situation. Referring to a recent US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that stopping the fighting between Israel and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah is a key part of the agreement to end hostilities on all fronts. He also added that Iran will take all necessary steps to protect its interests, security, and allies.

Is Hormuz closed again?

Earlier in the day, there were reports that the Iranian Navy has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement broadcast over maritime radio channels, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly accused the US of violating a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict.

“Since Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American terrorist forces from the Persian Gulf and the region are among the main conditions of the agreement between Iran and the United States, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these conditions are met,” the statement noted as reported by the New York Post.

However, Iran has now denied the closure, asserting that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is continuing as normal.

You May Also Like To Watch:


Also In News