(Agencies): Yesterday, the US military denied Iran’s statements regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, saying: The vital waterway is still open and that its forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this continues. !
US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins told Reuters: “Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz… Navigation traffic continues, and American forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this continues.”
The Iranian Joint Military Command announced earlier yesterday that the Strait of Hormuz was closed again, referring to the Israeli attacks in Lebanon and what it described as the “bad faith” of the United States and its “clear violation of its obligations” due to its failure to end the war.
This came on a day when Israel carried out bloody raids on Lebanon, which it said were in response to Hezbollah targeting its forces in the south of the country, while the latter maintained its “right to confront” the attacks.
The statement broadcast on state television warned that “if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned.” Ships began crossing through the strait after the signing of the temporary agreement between the United States and Iran last week. !
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned ships against approaching the strait and said: Their security would be at risk.
An advisor to the Iranian leader, Mohammad Mokhber, said yesterday that as long as the agreement with the United States remains “a dead letter,” “the flow of energy in the Middle East will also remain halted.”
In turn, the US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement: “American forces continue their presence and vigilance to ensure compliance with and implementation of all provisions of the agreement with Iran, and to ensure that it remains in full force.” !
Centcom, which supervises US forces in the Middle East, added that 55 commercial ships crossed the strait yesterday, Saturday, and “safe passage through the international waterway remained available and without obstacles today.” !
While negotiations were expected to begin during an official meeting in Switzerland on Friday, the meeting was canceled at the last minute, in parallel with Israel’s escalation of its attacks in Lebanon after four soldiers, including an officer, were killed by Hezbollah fire. !
Subsequently, an American official announced on Friday that the two parties had agreed to a ceasefire, with mediation in which Iran and Qatar participated. However, the situation on the ground did not witness a noticeable change, as is the case with other recent ceasefire announcements, as Israel continued its strikes and ground operations in areas it occupies in the south of the country, while Hezbollah affirmed its adherence to “resisting the occupation” and continuing to attack its forces.
Yesterday, the Civil Defense announced the death of 16 people and the injury of at least 12 in the Nabatieh area as a result of Israeli raids. !
In addition, at least seven people were killed and 13 others were injured in an Israeli strike on the town of Qanarit near Sidon, north of Nabatieh, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. !
The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced yesterday that the toll from the Israeli attacks since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2 amounted to 4,057 dead, including 135 paramedics and health sector workers, and more than 12,000 wounded. !
Yesterday, the Civil Defense announced the death of 16 people and the injury of at least 12 in the Nabatieh area as a result of Israeli raids. !
In addition, at least seven people were killed and 13 others were injured in an Israeli strike on the town of Qanarit near Sidon, north of Nabatieh, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. !
The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced yesterday that the toll from the Israeli attacks since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2 amounted to 4,057 dead, including 135 paramedics and health sector workers, and more than 12,000 wounded. !
For its part, the Israeli army said that it was attacking “Hezbollah targets” in response to it firing projectiles at its forces. !
Hezbollah announced that it had confronted an Israeli “infiltration” attempt at the strategic Ali al-Taher height near Nabatieh. !
