Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A fragile path to diplomacy between Iran and the United States has hit another roadblock. Tehran announced that it will stop exchanging messages with Washington through mediators, saying no talks can move forward while Israeli forces continue military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, according to reports from Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
“Given the continuation of the Israeli regime’s attacks in Lebanon, and considering that Lebanon had been one of the preconditions for a ceasefire — which has now been violated on all fronts, including Lebanon — the Iranian negotiating team is suspending ‘talks and exchanges of texts through mediators,'” Tasnim reported.
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It also reported that the “resistance front” and Iran have set an agenda to completely block the Strait of Hormuz and activate other fronts, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. The diplomatic deadlock came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered fresh attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s position that the ceasefire between Iran and the US must apply across the entire region.
In a post on X, Araghchi wrote: “The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
“Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts,” he added.
The Iranian leader also warned that “the US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.”
ISRAEL EXPANDS LEBANON OFFENSIVE
Israel issued warnings to evacuate Beirut’s southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh. Families rushed to leave the area, fearing imminent strikes. The conflict has already displaced more than one million people across Lebanon since fighting erupted.
“There will be no situation in which Hezbollah attacks our cities and our citizens, and its terrorist headquarters in Beirut, in Dahiyeh, will remain out of bounds,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
The Israeli leader also said the military would continue expanding its ground operations in southern Lebanon. Israel has established what it describes as a security zone along parts of the border and says the objective is to prevent Hezbollah attacks on communities in northern Israel.
Since US President Donald Trump announced a Lebanon ceasefire on April 16, Israel has carried out only a limited number of strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs. However, fighting has continued in southern Lebanon, raising concerns that the truce is rapidly losing effectiveness.
The current conflict began on March 2 when Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel in support of Iran following US and Israeli military action against Tehran.
GAZA CEASEFIRE REMAINS FRAGILE
The situation remains tense in Gaza as well. An October ceasefire brokered by President Trump has failed to fully stop Israeli military operations in the enclave. Israel and Hamas remain locked in indirect negotiations over the next stage of the agreement. Key issues include Hamas’s disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of Gaza.
Despite the ceasefire framework, violence has continued. Gaza health officials say around 900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce came into effect. The figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
