Trump says Iran’s handling of Strait of Hormuz is ‘not the agreement we have’
Trump Criticizes Iran’s Management of Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, criticized Iran for its “subpar management” of the oil transit route through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, claiming it was “not the agreement we have.” His remarks came amid growing concerns about the effectiveness of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, with reports highlighting disagreements over its terms. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his government’s intention to initiate direct discussions with Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and foster peaceful ties.
State Department to Host Ceasefire Talks
A U.S. State Department representative confirmed a meeting in Washington would be held next week to address ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanese authorities had previously urged a pause in hostilities, but Netanyahu countered by stating, “There is no ceasefire in Lebanon.” Israeli airstrikes in the southern regions of Lebanon continued throughout Thursday, focusing on Hezbollah’s rocket facilities, before easing overnight.
“I spoke with Bibi and he’s going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key,” Trump told NBC News after a call with Netanyahu.
WHO Warns of Evacuation Challenges
The World Health Organization’s head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the difficulty of evacuating patients from Beirut’s Jnah district, where two critical hospitals are located. He noted that approximately 450 individuals, including 40 in intensive care, would be affected, with no alternative medical care available. Among the injured were 1,150 people reported by Lebanon’s health ministry, alongside at least 303 fatalities.
“At this time, no alternative medical facilities are available to receive approximately 450 patients from the two hospitals (including 40 patients in the ICU), rendering their evacuation operationally unfeasible,” Tedros said on X.
Netanyahu’s office praised Lebanon’s call for demilitarizing Beirut, stating the talks would center on “disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace relations between Israel and Lebanon.” However, the Ministry of Public Health’s headquarters, which shelters over 5,000 people, remains within the evacuation zone.
Ceasefire Confusion Sparks Iran’s Retaliation
The ceasefire agreement faced early ambiguity regarding Lebanon’s inclusion. Iranian officials and Pakistani mediators supported its involvement, while U.S. and Israeli representatives insisted it was not part of the deal. This confusion led to Iran accusing Israel of violating the terms, prompting it to block maritime traffic through the Hormuz Strait and threaten countermeasures.
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now.”
Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon has intensified, with recent destruction of villages. Without a clear commitment to a temporary ceasefire, progress in talks remains uncertain. Lebanon’s government, which banned Hezbollah’s military actions in early March, has yet to fully curtail the group’s operations, despite efforts to restrict weapons to state institutions in Beirut.
Lebanese Government Takes Steps Toward Demilitarization
Following the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam instructed security forces to reinforce the demilitarization of Beirut Governorate. The initiative aims to limit Hezbollah’s influence, though the group continues to operate independently with Iranian backing. According to Axios, Netanyahu’s stance followed consultations with Trump and White House officials, underscoring the political stakes in the region.
