Iran Closes Strait Of Hormuz In Response To Israeli Strikes On Lebanon

Less than 24 hours after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran, the Islamic Republic has closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the Associated Press reported citing local media.

According to Fars News Agency, 

The US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire early Wednesday, as part of which Iran agreed to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, potentially restoring global energy supplies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly shown support for the United States' decision for a ceasefire with Iran but said that it does not include Lebanon.

"Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region," Netanyahu wrote on X. 

However, in a separate post, he stated, "The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel's regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations. The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon."

Israel continued military operations in Lebanon and against Hezbollah, killing 112 and wounding 837, which has prompted protests from Iran.

US Response

The United States said Wednesday that Iran must open the Strait of Hormuz "immediately, quickly, and safely" after reports that the strategic waterway had been shut down despite the US-Iran ceasefire.

Any closure "is completely unacceptable," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

"I will reiterate the president's expectation and demand that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened immediately quickly and safely."

Trump Has Backed Israeli Strikes On Lebanon

Trump, earlier today, backed Israel's ongoing military operation in Lebanon, stating that Hezbollah "was not included" in the recent ceasefire deal between Washington and Tehran, which halted the conflict in West Asia for two weeks.

Speaking to PBS News, when asked about Lebanon still being targeted despite the ceasefire announcement, Trump said, "Yeah, they were not included in the deal."

When pressed on why Israeli military action in Lebanon was excluded from the deal, Trump replied, "Because of Hezbollah. They were not included in the deal. That'll get taken care of too. It's alright."

Asked if he was okay with Israeli forces continuing strikes in Lebanon, Trump told PBS News, "It's part of the deal - everyone knows that. That's a separate skirmish."