Trump says Iran’s handling of Strait of Hormuz is ‘not the agreement we have’
Trump Criticizes Iran’s Control of Strait of Hormuz
US Ceasefire Negotiations and Evacuation Alerts
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, criticized Iran’s management of the critical Strait of Hormuz, calling it “not the agreement we have.” His remarks highlight the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire deal, as reports indicate disagreements over its terms. This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to engage in direct discussions with Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, and build peaceful relations.
Evacuation Concerns and WHO Statement
A U.S. State Department official confirmed a meeting would be held in Washington next week to address ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanese officials had previously urged a pause in hostilities, but Netanyahu stated during a speech to northern Israel residents: “There is no ceasefire in Lebanon.” Israeli strikes continued throughout Thursday, targeting Hezbollah rocket sites in the south, prompting evacuation warnings in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
“At this time, no alternative medical facilities are available to receive approximately 450 patients from the two hospitals (including 40 in the ICU), making their evacuation operationally unfeasible,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization.
Tedros added that among the injured at the hospitals were some of the 1,150 people wounded in Wednesday’s Israeli strikes, which resulted in at least 303 deaths. The Ministry of Public Health headquarters, which shelters over 5,000 people, is also within the evacuation zone.
Strait of Hormuz and Trump’s Intervention
Trump tweeted about shipping through the Hormuz Strait, which typically carries 20% of global oil and LNG. “There are reports Iran is charging fees to tankers passing through,” he wrote. “They better not be, and if they are, they better stop now.” The ceasefire, which began with confusion over Lebanon’s inclusion, saw Iran accuse Israel of violating its terms, leading to a halt in ship traffic and threats of retaliation.
Lebanon’s Demilitarization Efforts
Lebanon’s military has occupied parts of the south, destroying villages recently. The government has yet to fully curb Hezbollah’s military operations, despite banning them in early March. Cabinet orders now require security forces to limit weapons in Beirut to state institutions, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urging the army to “immediately begin reinforcing the full imposition of state authority over Beirut Governorate.” Netanyahu’s office praised the Lebanese call for demilitarizing Beirut, stating negotiations would focus on “disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace between Israel and Lebanon.”
Israel’s strikes on Thursday intensified, pushing Iran to declare the ceasefire broken. This escalation has raised questions about the effectiveness of talks, as the Lebanese government’s influence over Hezbollah remains unclear. The group, though part of the government, operates independently with Iranian support.
