New Delhi, June 1: In a turn for the worse, Iran today reportedly decided to suspend negotiations with the US alleging violation of the terms of ceasefire as Israel carried out fresh major airstrikes on Lebanon.
Iranian media reported that the talks will remain suspended till all conditions of the ceasefire are adhered to, which includes halt to attacks on Lebanon.
“Due to the continuation of the Zionist regime’s actions in Lebanon and given that Lebanon was one of the preconditions of the ceasefire and that this ceasefire has now been violated on all fronts … the Iranian negotiating team will suspend talks and the exchange of texts through mediators,” Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.
It said that Iran would consider a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical maritime route for movement of global energy.
Iran will also choke other waterways, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with the aim of punishing Israel and its supporters, the report said, quoting unnamed Iranian official.
Just before this report, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted a statement on social media, saying Lebanon was part of the ceasefire agreement reached with the US in early April.
The Iranian decision came hours after Israel carried out major airstrikes on Lebanon, caused widespread destruction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also ordered expansion of attacks on Lebanon to target Hezbollah.
Since April, Iran and the US had been holding indirect negotiations via Pakistan with an objective of reaching an agreement that would end their hostilities
The indirect talks began after a ceasefire announced to end 40 days of intense fighting that began with the joint air strikes by the US and Israel on February 28.
The military conflict killed thousands of people, including the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior leaders and officials of the country.
It also caused huge economic impact for countries around the world as the flow of energy from West Asia came to a virtual halt due to closure of the Strait of Hormuz, sending fuel prices soaring.
