Welcome to the Guardian’s ongoing coverage of the Middle East crisis.
The delicate ceasefire between the United States and Iran faced further challenges on Friday, just one day before representatives from both nations are set to convene in Pakistan. Former President Donald Trump accused Iran of failing to uphold its commitments regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel conducted airstrikes in Lebanon, which Iran claims breach the ceasefire agreement.
In a late Thursday social media post, Trump criticized Iran’s management of oil transit through the strait, asserting, “That is not the agreement we have!”
Despite the ceasefire, Iran has not lifted its extensive blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to unprecedented disruptions in global energy supplies. Tehran pointed to Israel’s continued military actions in Lebanon, including heavy bombardments on Wednesday, as a significant obstacle to compliance.
During the initial 24 hours of the ceasefire announced by Trump on Tuesday, only one oil products tanker and five bulk carriers managed to navigate the strait. Prior to the conflict, this vital maritime route facilitated the passage of about 140 ships daily, comprising a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Trump expressed optimism about the potential for a peace agreement with Iran, as a diplomatic team led by Vice President JD Vance prepared for critical discussions in Pakistan over the weekend. He noted that Iranian officials often present a more reasonable stance in private meetings compared to their public statements, suggesting a disparity in their communication.
Additionally, Trump revealed that he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a more restrained approach in Lebanon to support the upcoming negotiations. “I spoke with Bibi, and he’s going to low-key it. I think we have to be sort of a little more low-key,” Trump told NBC News, indicating his belief that Israel was scaling back its military operations in the region.
Netanyahu, however, asserted that he had directed his government to engage in direct negotiations with Lebanon regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah while maintaining that “there is no ceasefire” in place and that Israel would continue its military efforts against Hezbollah.
Following these developments, Israel launched new strikes against what it identified as Hezbollah launch sites in Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to retaliate with rocket fire directed at northern Israeli settlements.
While Israel remains committed to its military campaign, Lebanon is insisting on a ceasefire as a prerequisite for any direct negotiations. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that a ceasefire is “the only solution” and emphasized the need for United States mediation in any agreement. These discussions are scheduled to occur next week under the auspices of the U.S. State Department in Washington.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon for violating the ceasefire and declared that such actions would undermine the possibility of meaningful negotiations. He reiterated Iran’s commitment to support the Lebanese populace.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf remarked that Lebanon is a critical component of the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing that there is “no room for denial and backtracking” on this issue.
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Israel’s ongoing military actions in Lebanon, stating that they “shouldn’t be happening.” He also dismissed a claim made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance that there had been a “legitimate misunderstanding,” asserting that the matter transcends technicalities and is fundamentally about principles.
A statement from Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, indicated that Iran would take the management of the Strait of Hormuz into a new phase, though specifics were not provided. He also vowed to seek justice for his father’s assassination at the war’s outset and for all those who have lost their lives during the conflict, insisting on compensation for damages incurred.
On the financial front, stock markets experienced gains on Friday, reflecting investor optimism regarding the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire ahead of the anticipated talks. However, oil prices also saw a slight increase.
Equity markets in Asia opened positively, with notable increases in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei, all gaining at least 1%, while Sydney experienced a slight decline. These advancements follow a strong performance on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 rose by 0.6% on Thursday.
Brent crude oil prices rose by 1%, reaching $96.83 per barrel as trading resumed in Asian markets.
In a demonstration of Iran’s ongoing authority over the Strait of Hormuz, a Botswana-flagged LNG tanker named Nidi attempted to exit the Persian Gulf via a route designated by the Revolutionary Guard but abruptly reversed course early Friday, according to ship-tracking data.
On Thursday, four tankers and three bulk carriers successfully traversed the Strait of Hormuz, bringing the total number of vessels that have passed since the ceasefire to at least 12, as reported by the data firm Kpler. However, additional ships may have passed through without broadcasting their locations. Typically, the strait facilitates the transit of around 140 ships daily during peacetime, carrying a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
In light of the ongoing conflict affecting global supplies, Japan announced plans to release 20 days’ worth of oil reserves beginning in May, as stated by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a cabinet meeting. Japan relies on the Middle East for approximately 95% of its oil supply and has been releasing reserves since March 16 to stabilize domestic availability.
