Middle East Crisis Iran War

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after attacks on Lebanon

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz in response to Israel's attacks on Lebanon, state Iranian media reports according to AP.

The attacks on Lebanon come barely a day after a ceasefire was signed between Israel, Iran and the United States.

Both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said that Lebanon is not covered by the agreement, something both Iran and Pakistan claim it is.

When Donald Trump announced the ceasefire yesterday, he wrote on Truth Social that it is on the condition that the Strait of Hormuz remains open.

There have been reports during the day that the strait has not been completely open. According to Reuters, the Iranian navy has warned ships that have tried to pass through that they must have permission from Iran. 

Trump: Lebanon is not covered by the ceasefire

The Israeli attacks on Lebanon do not violate the ceasefire because Lebanon is not covered by the agreement. This is what US President Donald Trump claims in an interview with PBS journalist Liz Landers.

– They are not included in the agreement, says Trump.

He justifies this by saying that the Iranian-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah is not part of the agreements, something he says he accepts.

When asked if he is okay with Israel continuing the attacks, he replies:

– It is part of the agreement, everyone knows that. That is a separate dispute. You have to talk faster.

Liz Landers tried to ask one last question about whether Trump regretted the post that “an entire civilization is going to die tonight”, but received no answer when the conversation ended. 

Lebanon: At least 89 people have been killed in today's attacks

At least 89 people have been killed and 700 injured in today's Israeli attacks on Lebanon, a spokesman for the Lebanese Health Ministry told Reuters.

Twelve medics were reportedly among the dead.

The country's health minister told the news agency earlier in the day that hospitals in Beirut are overwhelmed as a result of the attacks.

Israel describes the attacks as the largest during the war, and they come a day after the ceasefire that was signed between Israel, Iran and the United States.

Iran and Pakistan have said that Lebanon is also covered by the ceasefire, but this is denied by both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Lebanese Prime Minister: “Israel Ignoring Ceasefire”

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of ignoring regional and international efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Middle East. This was reported by Reuters after Israel carried out extensive attacks on targets in Lebanon, including the capital Beirut.

According to Lebanese authorities, about ten people have been killed and hundreds injured in the attacks. Prime Minister Salam stated that Israel’s attacks hit densely populated residential areas.

Images from Beirut on Wednesday show destroyed buildings, burned cars and rescue workers searching for survivors.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in turn that the attacks were directed at Hezbollah targets.

Mediating country Pakistan believes that Lebanon is covered by the ceasefire between the US and Iran, but this has been rejected by Israel.

Hundreds of Victims After Israeli Attack: “Hospitals Overcrowded”

Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured in Wednesday’s extensive Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the country’s health minister told Reuters. The minister said hospitals were “overcrowded” and urged residents of Beirut to make way for ambulances.

The Israeli military said it had carried out its largest attack on Iran-backed Hezbollah since the war in Iran began in late February. According to Israel, it had hit “a hundred Hezbollah targets” in ten minutes.

AFP journalists report that the capital Beirut has been attacked several times, without warning. Beirut resident Yasser Abdallah tells the news agency that he saw a very loud explosion and that children are among the dead.

On Wednesday night, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire. According to mediator Pakistan, it also covers Lebanon, but Israel does not agree.