Trump says Iran’s handling of Strait of Hormuz is ‘not the agreement we have’
Trump Condemns Iran’s Management of the Strait of Hormuz as Failing the Ceasefire Deal
US President Donald Trump criticized Iran for its inadequate management of the Strait of Hormuz, stating it was “not the agreement we have.” His remarks highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the ceasefire pact, which has been marked by disputes over its terms. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed plans for direct negotiations with Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and foster peace between the two nations.
A State Department representative confirmed the US would host a meeting next week in Washington to address “ongoing ceasefire negotiations” with Israel and Lebanon. However, Lebanese officials had previously urged a pause in hostilities, only for Netanyahu to assert in a speech to northern Israel residents that “there is no ceasefire in Lebanon.” The following day, Israeli strikes in Lebanon intensified, targeting Hezbollah’s rocket sites in the south, before temporarily easing overnight.
Evacuation Alerts Amid Medical Crisis
During Thursday’s strikes, new evacuation warnings were issued for residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs, including the Jnah area, home to two critical hospitals. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, noted on X that the evacuation of approximately 450 patients—40 in intensive care—was challenging due to limited medical alternatives. “At this time, no alternative medical facilities are available,” he stated, emphasizing the difficulty in relocating those injured in Wednesday’s attacks, which wounded 1,150 people and killed at least 303.
“They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now.”
Trump posted this on Truth Social, accusing Iran of imposing tolls on tankers traversing the Hormuz Strait—a vital waterway that carries 20% of global oil and LNG. He called for immediate action to prevent such measures, which Iran had recently reinstated. The conflict has seen Israel occupy parts of southern Lebanon, where recent operations have destroyed villages.
The ceasefire, which sparked debate over Lebanon’s inclusion, was initially contested by Iranian officials and Pakistan’s mediators. US and Israeli representatives maintained it did not cover Lebanon. This confusion resurfaced as Iran blamed Israel for violating the terms, leading to the reinstatement of shipping restrictions through the strait. Netanyahu’s office praised Lebanon’s call to demilitarize Beirut, though the Lebanese government has yet to fully curtail Hezbollah’s military activities despite banning them in early March.
Lebanon’s cabinet ordered security forces to limit weapons in Beirut to state institutions, as Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated. The talks, however, face uncertainty, with doubts about Hezbollah’s willingness to comply with the ceasefire and the extent of Lebanon’s influence over the militant group. Without a firm commitment to pause hostilities, progress in negotiations remains unclear.