Trump says Iran’s handling of Strait of Hormuz is ‘not the agreement we have’
Trump Condemns Iran’s Management of Hormuz Strait
US President Donald Trump criticized Iran for its handling of oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “very poor job” and stating it “does not align with the terms we’ve agreed upon.” His remarks highlight growing tensions around the fragile ceasefire deal, with conflicting interpretations emerging over its scope. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to initiate direct talks with Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and foster peaceful relations.
Ceasefire Uncertainty and Strikes
Lebanese officials had sought a pause in hostilities before negotiations began, but Netanyahu disputed this, asserting that “there is no ceasefire in Lebanon.” Israeli strikes continued throughout Thursday, targeting Hezbollah rocket sites in southern Lebanon, before slowing overnight. Trump said he had spoken with Netanyahu and expected Israel to “scale back” its operations to support the peace process. “I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key,” he told NBC News.
Evacuation Warnings and Medical Impact
Strikes on Thursday prompted evacuation alerts in Beirut’s southern suburbs, including the Jnah area, which houses two key hospitals. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, shared on X that approximately 450 patients—40 in intensive care—could not be relocated due to limited medical alternatives. Among the injured were some of the 1,150 reported casualties from Wednesday’s attacks, which killed at least 303 people. The Ministry of Public Health headquarters, serving as a shelter for over 5,000 individuals, was also in the evacuation zone.
Iran’s Response and Ceasefire Disputes
Iran accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, leading to a suspension of shipping through the Hormuz Strait. Trump noted reports of Iran imposing tolls on tankers, warning that they “better not be” and should “stop now” if they were. The dispute over Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire agreement remains unresolved, with Iranian officials and Pakistani mediators insisting on its involvement, while US and Israeli teams clarified it was not.
Lebanese Government’s Role
Lebanon’s cabinet ordered security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stating that “the army and security forces are requested to immediately begin reinforcing the full imposition of state authority over Beirut Governorate.” Netanyahu’s office praised the Lebanese government’s call to demilitarize Beirut, emphasizing that talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah and achieving peace between the two nations. The negotiations, set to take place in Washington, remain uncertain in their ability to curb Hezbollah’s military actions despite its political presence in Lebanon.
