Iran will halt "talks and the exchange of texts through a mediator" with the U.S. in response to ongoing ceasefire violations, including Israel’s ongoing conflict with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
“No dialogue will take place” until Israel fully withdraws from occupied areas in Lebanon and stops all attacks in both Lebanon and Gaza, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) affiliated outlet reported.
Iran will Fully Close the Strait of Hormuz & Bab al-Mandeb Strait
Additionally, Tasnim confirmed that Iran will move towards fully closing the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CBS News, Iran has also given Houthi rebel allies in Yemen the approval to begin attacking commercial shipping along the Bab al-Mandeb waterway, another pivotal Strait within the Middle East.
“Also, the resistance front and Iran have resolved to completely block the Strait of Hormuz and activate other fronts including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, in order to punish the Zionists and their supporters,” Tasnim reported.
Following Tasnim’s report, oil prices jumped more than 5%, according to CNBC.
Bab al-Mandeb is a commercial chokepoint that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Despite not engaging in the Middle Eastern conflict, the Houthis have previously warned that if asked to by Iran, they could engage in the war.
Ceasefire At The Highest Risk of Collapsing
The Iranian outlet’s report comes amid escalating attacks between the U.S. and Iran and the continued conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Recently, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the medieval castle of Beaufort in southern Lebanon.
In response to Israel’s capture of the castle and Hezbollah’s continued strikes on Israel, the United Nations (UN) Security Council is expected to hold an emergency session on the war in Lebanon.
Peace talks between the U.S., Israel, and Iran appear to have no imminent solution, despite hopes from President Donald Trump a week prior, when he affirmed that a deal had been “largely negotiated.”
The nearly 7-week-long ceasefire agreement within the Middle East can collapse at any moment now as continued aggression between parties arise.
