Iran’s foreign minister has presented an ultimatum to the United States following Israel’s military actions in Lebanon shortly after a ceasefire agreement was reached. Iran contends that Lebanon was included under the two-week ceasefire, a claim disputed by both Israel and the U.S.
Discussions between Iran and the U.S. are scheduled to commence on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan. The situation has escalated dramatically, with accusations flying less than a day after the ceasefire was established. Israeli attacks in Lebanon, resulting in numerous casualties, have jeopardized the ceasefire and raised concerns about the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House has accused Iran of misrepresenting the content of a ten-point proposal, which U.S. President Donald Trump has identified as the foundation for ongoing negotiations. U.S. and Israeli officials maintain that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire agreement, contradicting the assertions of Pakistan, the mediator in the discussions.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that the international community is aware of the violence occurring in Lebanon, insisting that the U.S. must make a choice between pursuing peace or enabling further conflict through Israel. “It cannot have both,” he remarked on the social media platform X.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who will represent the U.S. in the upcoming talks, attributed the dispute to a “legitimate misunderstanding,” affirming that the ceasefire did not encompass Lebanon. He noted that he had been informed that Israel would exercise restraint in their operations in Lebanon, although he clarified that this was not a result of the ceasefire agreement.
Australia, along with other U.S. allies, has echoed calls for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire terms. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Israel’s military actions, stating that they must cease and that Lebanon should be fully encompassed by the ceasefire agreement.
While Israel claims its strikes are aimed at the militant group Hezbollah, they have targeted densely populated areas without prior warning, leading to significant civilian casualties, including over 1,500 deaths, with more than 130 children among the victims, as reported by Lebanon’s health ministry.
In the wake of these developments, Iranian state media indicated that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed following the recent strikes in Lebanon. The White House dismissed these claims as “unacceptable,” suggesting they were inaccurate. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that there had been an increase in maritime traffic in the strait and reiterated the administration’s demand for its prompt and safe reopening.
Shipping companies reported receiving warnings from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) prohibiting transit through the strait without authorization, with one message stating that vessels attempting to cross would be targeted.
The situation surrounding the reopening of the strait remains unclear, with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council indicating that any passage would necessitate coordination with Iranian military forces. Reports surfaced suggesting that Iran may require tankers to pay tolls in cryptocurrency for oil transportation, as noted by Hamid Hosseini from Iran’s Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union.
While Leavitt asserted that President Trump has made it clear the strait must reopen without restrictions, reports also indicated that Trump was open to the idea of imposing tolls as part of a “joint venture” with Iran to secure the strait.
The specifics of Iran’s ten-point proposal, which will be the basis for the negotiations, have not yet been confirmed by the White House. Various versions of the proposal have emerged from Iranian sources, including social media accounts for its embassies, and these differing accounts have circulated in U.S., Iranian, and global media.
Some versions of the proposal reportedly include conditions that are deemed unacceptable by the U.S., Israel, and Gulf nations, such as the withdrawal of American troops from the region and Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump condemned the circulation of what he called “fraudulent” versions of the proposal, asserting that only one set of legitimate points is acceptable to the U.S., which will be discussed privately during the negotiations.
Leavitt noted that a previous ten-point proposal from Iran had been disregarded, emphasizing that any retention of nuclear capabilities by Iran would be a non-negotiable issue for Trump.
During an earlier briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that Iran had pledged not to enrich uranium in the future and suggested they would surrender any remaining nuclear material under their control.
