Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, mentioned in an interview that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened, albeit to a limited extent. He confirmed that the Iranian regime has placed sea mines in the strait, noting that these would need to be cleared after conflict resolution, which could be quite dangerous and costly.
Khatibzadeh stated that anyone in communication with Iranian officials has proper clearance. He explained that Iran currently needs to guide vessels through this strait, and reports indicate that the country plans to restrict traffic to 12 vessels a day. Additionally, it appears Iran may introduce a transit fee of $1 per barrel, which could be paid in Chinese yuan or virtual currency.
According to U.S. officials, Iran could possess between 2,000 and 6,000 landmines. Declassified documents have suggested these landmines might carry over 1,100 pounds of explosives, enough to seriously damage or sink large ships. Khatibzadeh also expressed skepticism about the intentions of other parties involved, pointing to ongoing significant violations by Israel in Lebanon, mentioning a recent tragic event there.
Recent reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon resulted in 89 fatalities and over 700 injuries, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The Israel Defense Forces announced they had successfully targeted Maher Qassem Hamdan, a leader of a militia group in the region, contributing to ongoing tensions.
Iran’s President, Massoud Pezeshkian, condemned Israel’s actions in Lebanon, calling it a breach of the ceasefire agreement. There seems to be some misunderstanding about the terms of this ceasefire, with some officials believing it should have included Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that negotiations with Lebanon are a priority going forward, although it’s unclear if Lebanon will engage in talks.
Current ceasefire conditions are set to expire on April 22nd, but it’s uncertain if they’ll hold. Netanyahu noted the focus of negotiations would be on disarming Hezbollah and fostering peaceful relations, while Hezbollah’s drone activity continues to provoke concerns on the Israeli side. Additionally, there was a declaration that the ceasefire aims to address issues involving Iran and its relationships with Gulf Arab states, which are allied with the U.S.
