Iran puts US on notice over fresh Lebanon strikes
New Delhi, April 8
Iran has shut the Strait of Hormuz to shipping until further notice, a dramatic move that comes in the wake of fresh Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Wednesday. Iran also warned the United States to choose between promoting stability in Lebanon or risking further escalation as Israeli strikes continue. The White House has reacted sharply, urging Iran to reopen the strait “immediately, quickly and safely”.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made clear that the US now holds responsibility for the crisis. Following renewed violence and another wave of Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Araghchi stated, “The ball is in the US court,” noting that global attention is on Washington’s response and its commitments. He argued in a message on X that American calls for a ceasefire lack credibility while Israeli military operations persist, saying these strikes cause major suffering for Lebanese civilians. On the other hand, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described any continued closure as “completely unacceptable”, even as a fragile US-Iran ceasefire remains in place. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a two-week ceasefire with Iran does not mean the conflict is over, describing it instead as a temporary break on a longer road.
