By EFE
Tension in the Middle East escalated critically after Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – following an opening agreement -, one of the most important sea routes for the global oil trade, following Israel’s attacks on urban areas in Beirut.
According to reports from Iranian state media, cited by international agencies, the measure responds directly to the Israeli offensive registered on Wednesday, which It impacted densely populated residential and commercial areas in the Lebanese capital. The preliminary toll is at least 112 people dead and hundreds injured.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil transits, thus becomes a new point of geopolitical pressure. Analysts warn that its closure could have immediate consequences on energy prices and the stability of international markets.
The White House denies that Ozmur is closed
The White House later called reports that IIran interrupted transit through the Strait of Hormuz again todayreopened as part of the ceasefire agreed the day before between Washington and Tehran, and stated that, on the contrary, they have seen “an increase in traffic” through the maritime passage.
“The president [Donald Trump] was informed of those reports. That is completely unacceptable. And, once again, this is a case where what they say publicly is different from what they say privately. Today we have observed an uptick in traffic in the strait“said Administration spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
Leavitt reiterated Trump’s “expectation and demand” —expressed this Tuesday when he announced the two-week pause in the war against Iran— “that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened quickly and safely.”
“It has been conveyed to (Trump) privately that this is what is happening, and that these public reports are false,” said the Republican’s press secretary, who added that Traffic in the strait is something they monitor “minute by minute, hour by hour” from the White House.
Iran and the United States agreed on Tuesday a two-week truce conditional on the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This period will serve to negotiate the end of a war that began on February 28 and has left thousands dead in Iran, including women and children, and thirteen US soldiers dead.
Trump said today that These Israeli attacks against the Shiite group Hezbollah in Lebanese territory are a “skirmish” separate from the war waged together with the Jewish State against Iran, so they are not part of the temporary ceasefire reached with Tehran.
Keep reading:
- Hegseth calls offensive against Iran a “historic victory”
- What is known about the agreement reached by the US and Iran for a two-week ceasefire
