(AFP) – The latest developments in the Middle East war:
**Lebanon-Israel ‘agreements’**
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that his country was on the verge of a “new phase” of “permanent agreements” and no longer an “arena” for anyone’s wars after a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war went into force. Aoun added that direct talks with Israel were “not a sign of weakness nor a concession… negotiations do not mean, and will never mean, giving up any right, conceding any principle, or compromising the sovereignty of this nation”.
**Kurds killed**
Drone and rocket strikes in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region killed three Iranian Kurds, including two women fighters, an exiled opposition group said, blaming the attack on Iran.
**Iran deal ‘very close’**
US President Donald Trump told AFP there were “no sticking points” left for a peace deal with Iran, adding that an agreement was “very close.” “We’re very close to having a deal,” Trump said in a brief telephone interview. Asked what unresolved issues were left, Trump said: “No sticking points.”
**Boeing’s war boost**
The Middle East war has so far boosted Boeing’s defence business and hasn’t affected deliveries to airline customers confronting high jet fuel prices, the company’s CEO said. Kelly Ortberg cited a recent agreement with the US military to triple production of PAC-3 seekers, which identify and strike hostile aircraft and weapons, as an example of increased demand due to the war.
**One killed despite truce**
Lebanese state media said an Israeli strike on a motorcycle in the south killed one person, despite the start of a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
**’Never close’ Hormuz**
“Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.
**Israel killed 2,300 in Lebanon**
Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed nearly 2,300 people since March 2, Lebanon’s health ministry said, on the first day of the ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a statement, the ministry said that at least 2,294 have been killed, in a preliminary toll that included 274 women, 177 children, and 100 health workers and rescuers.
**France, UK Hormuz mission**
France and the UK will lead a multinational mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as “soon as conditions allow,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after co-chairing a meeting on the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron.
**Trump says rejected NATO help**
Trump said he had rejected an offer from NATO to help secure the Strait of Hormuz after Iran said it had reopened, telling the “useless” US-led alliance to “STAY AWAY.” He also said Iran was removing mines from the crucial sea passage with US assistance.
**Trump denies cash for uranium**
Trump denied that any money would be involved in a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, after an Axios report that Washington was considering a $20 billion cash-for-uranium exchange. “The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear ‘Dust,’ created by our great B2 Bombers – No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.
**Israel ‘prohibited’**
Trump said the United States had “prohibited” Israel from bombing Lebanon following a ceasefire deal, adding that Washington would work with Lebanon to “deal with” Hezbollah. But Israel has not “yet finished the job” on Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, vowing to press on with the Lebanese militant group’s “dismantling” just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into effect.
**Trump says blockade on**
Trump said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a peace deal with Tehran was reached. “The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” Trump said on his Truth Social network, adding that “this process should go very quickly.”
**Oil prices drop**
Oil prices plunged more than 10 percent on Friday after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely open” for the rest of the ceasefire with the United States, and stock markets surged.
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© 2024 AFP
