Fresh uncertainty gripped the fragile US-Iran peace process Saturday after Iran announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz, citing continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon and accusing Washington of failing to uphold its commitments under this week’s interim agreement. The US rejected Tehran’s claim, saying commercial traffic continued to flow through the strategic waterway, which handles a significant share of global oil shipments. The dispute emerged as Iranian negotiators departed for Switzerland for the next round of talks aimed at turning the temporary agreement into a broader settlement.
Lebanon violence threatens fragile ceasefire
The diplomatic tensions coincided with renewed violence in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes killed at least 20 people on Saturday, according to Lebanese authorities, less than a day after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect. Israel said it launched the attacks after Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at its forces overnight, while Hezbollah accused Israel of repeated violations of the truce and warned that continued attacks would not go unanswered. The fighting has raised fresh doubts about whether the ceasefire can hold.
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Wider peace deal faces first major test
Pakistan, which has emerged as a key mediator between Tehran and Washington, said technical-level negotiations involving US, Iranian and Qatari representatives will begin in Switzerland on Sunday. The talks are expected to focus on implementing the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this week, which launched a 60-day process for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and broader regional security issues. However, Iranian officials have warned that unless the fighting in Lebanon stops and commitments under the agreement are honoured, the entire deal could be jeopardised.
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