Trump questions Iran ceasefire over alleged tanker fees in Strait of Hormuz, while Netanyahu backs talks with Lebanon but vows continued strikes on Hezbollah
“Iran is doing a very poor job—some might say dishonorable—of permitting oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” he stated on his social media platform.
“That is not the agreement we have!” This remark followed an earlier post where Trump mentioned, “There are reports that Iran is imposing fees on tankers transiting the Hormuz Strait – They better not be, and if they are, they must cease this immediately!”
The White House advocates for the reopening of the strait as part of the ceasefire arrangement, while asserting that Trump is against Iran’s military—still controlling the vital waterway—from generating income by levying tolls on passing vessels.
In a possible boost to ceasefire initiatives in West Asia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has greenlit direct talks with Lebanon “as soon as possible” with the aim of disarming Iranian-supported Hezbollah militants and fostering relations between the two nations.
The two countries have technically remained at war since Israel’s creation in 1948, and Netanyahu later emphasized that there is no ceasefire in effect between them.
In a video address, he affirmed that Israel will continue to target Hezbollah until security is reinstated in northern Israel.
