Iran is accusing Israel of violating the conditional ceasefire announced by President Trump by continuing its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran also accused the U.S. of violating multiple clauses of the deal framework.
Iranian media outlets said Tehran was suspending tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and was considering pulling out of the deal with Washington over Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump was aware of reports saying the strait had been closed, but said the reports “are false.”
Energy and stock markets embraced the ceasefire news Wednesday, with oil still trading well above pre-war levels but dropping below $100 a barrel. Stock markets in Asia and Europe soared and U.S. futures were up significantly. But oil rose again Thursday to above $97 a barrel and Asian stocks were trading lower due to skepticism that the ceasefire would hold.
Iran Envoy deletes post earlier announcing arrival for peace talk
Iran’s envoy deletes post on delegation’s arrival in Pakistan for talks with U.S.
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan deleted a social media post saying an Iranian delegation would arrive in Islamabad on Thursday night, a move an embassy official later told AFP had been sent prematurely.
Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said in a social media post Thursday morning that an Iranian delegation would arrive “tonight in Islamabad for serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran.” The post was deleted shortly after.
An official at the Iranian embassy in Islamabad told AFP the post was removed “because of some issues,” declining to say whether the delegation was still expected Thursday. When asked further, the official said: “Timing — we were not supposed to send it.”
The deletion raises fresh uncertainty over the arrival schedule, although both the United States and Iran have confirmed their participation in peace talks, brokered by Pakistan in its capital, Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited both delegations “to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes.”
The White House has said Vice President Vance would lead U.S. negotiations over the Middle East war in Islamabad “this weekend.” AFP