TEHRAN – Iran is suspending all exchanges with the United States via mediators due to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on June 1, as the two sides remained apart on a deal to end the Middle East war.
“Given the continuing crimes of the Zionist regime (Israel) in Lebanon, and considering that Lebanon was one of the preconditions for the ceasefire and that this ceasefire has now been violated on all fronts, including Lebanon, the Iranian negotiating team is suspending dialogues and exchange of texts through mediators,” Tasnim reported.
Tasnim said Iran and the so-called Resistance Front have discussed completely blocking the Strait of Hormuz and activating other fronts to “punish” Israel and its supporters.
The “Resistance Front” includes its Shi’ite allies in Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq,
If the Houthis, Iran’s allies in Yemen, open a new front in the conflict, one obvious target would be the Bab El Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen, a key shipping chokepoint and narrow passageway that controls sea traffic towards the Suez Canal.
“Violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X on June 1, referring to Israeli operations in Lebanon.
The war launched by the US and Israel on Feb 28 has left thousands of people dead, mainly in Iran and Lebanon.
It has also caused global economic pain by pushing up energy prices since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global supply route for oil and liquefied natural gas.
“The immediate cessation of the Zionist regime’s aggressive and brutal army operations in Gaza and Lebanon and the necessity of the regime’s complete withdrawal from the occupied areas in Lebanon have been emphasised by Iranian officials and negotiators, and there will be no talks until Iran and the resistance’s views on this matter are met,” Tasnim added. REUTERS
