Tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, with Iran threatening to withdraw from the ceasefire agreement and closing the Strait of Hormuz, warning of attacks following Israeli strikes in Lebanon. As emphasized by a source from the Iranian news agency Tasnim, Iran will withdraw from the ceasefire agreement if attacks on Lebanon continue
Iranian media: Tanker passage through Strait of Hormuz has stopped
The same source noted that Iranian armed forces are identifying targets to respond after IDF attacks against Lebanon. The termination of war on all fronts is part of the ceasefire, the source added.
At the same time, Iran’s Fars agency reported that tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz has stopped following Israel’s “violation of the ceasefire.” Press TV, for its part, citing sources, reported that Tehran “will punish” Israel for attacks against Hezbollah, “in violation of the ceasefire.”
Vance: US-Iran ceasefire fragile – broader agreement achievable
Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance characterized the ceasefire with Iran as “fragile.” He participated in the final negotiations that led to the ceasefire, emphasizing that the process revealed divisions within Tehran. Speaking from Budapest, Vance noted that Tehran’s reaction differed depending on which group within the government positioned itself on the agreement.
As he emphasized, Iran’s Foreign Minister responded positively, however other officials “lied.” “That’s why I say this is a fragile ceasefire,” he stated. “There are people who clearly want to sit at the negotiating table and work with us to find a good agreement and then there are others who misinform even about the fragile ceasefire we have already achieved,” he added. Vance mentioned that, provided the Iranian side has good faith, there is room for achieving a broader agreement.
“If the Iranians are willing to work with us honestly, I believe we can reach an agreement,” he stated. “If they’re going to lie, if they’re going to deceive, if they try to obstruct even the fragile ceasefire we have established, then they’re not going to be happy with the consequences,” he emphasized.
