Here are the latest events on Tuesday related to the war in the Middle East, as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States has held for a week:
– Oil prices drop below $100
Oil prices continue to fall, with the market seeming to believe in a easing of the conflict in the Middle East and hopeful for a resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran.
The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the American benchmark, dropped by 7.87% to $91.28, while Brent, the international benchmark, lost 4.60% to $94.79.
– “Constructive” meeting for Lebanon, “excellent exchange” for Israel
The Israeli ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, praised an “excellent exchange” after talks with Lebanon in Washington.
“We discovered today that we (Israel and Lebanon) are on the same side and united in our determination to free Lebanon from the pro-Iranian Hezbollah,” he said to journalists.
The Lebanese ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, described the “preparatory meeting” as “constructive” in a statement, adding that she had “called for a ceasefire” between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as the return of one million displaced persons to their homes.
Both countries have agreed to begin direct negotiations for a lasting peace following “productive discussions” in Washington between representatives from both countries, according to the American diplomacy.
– Washington will not extend relief on Iranian oil sanctions
The U.S. Treasury announced that it will not extend the temporary lifting of certain sanctions on Iranian oil, which was decided in March to mitigate the effects of the Middle East war on the hydrocarbon market.
However, Washington will extend until the end of October the partial suspension of sanctions against the Russian giant Lukoil, in the context of soaring hydrocarbon prices.
– Israel transfers three Hezbollah members for questioning
The Israeli army announced that three fighters from the Hezbollah Islamist movement surrendered to its troops in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, where it launched an assault. They were then transferred to Israel for questioning.
– Hezbollah claims 13 attacks after start of Israeli-Lebanese talks
Hezbollah claimed simultaneous attacks on 13 locations in northern Israel shortly after direct talks began between Israelis and Lebanese.
“Following an assessment of the situation and given the latest developments, an increase in fire from Lebanon is possible,” the Israeli army had warned earlier.
It also announced that ten of its soldiers had been injured, three of them seriously, in clashes with Hezbollah in Bint Jbeil, a city in southern Lebanese territory where an assault was launched.
– Lebanese president hopes talks with Israel will mark “the beginning of the end” of his countrymen’s suffering
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that talks with Israel in Washington will mark “the beginning of the end of the suffering of the Lebanese” after several weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah.
– Call to Israel and Lebanon to “seize the opportunity” of peace talks
Seventeen countries, including France and the United Kingdom, called on Lebanon and Israel to “seize the opportunity” of direct peace talks to be held in Washington under American mediation.
“We want to achieve peace and normalization with the Lebanese state… The problem is Hezbollah,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
– Six ships turned back by the American army
The U.S. Army announced that it prevented six ships from leaving Iranian ports during the first 24 hours of the blockade imposed by the United States on the Islamic Republic.
On Monday, at least two vessels from Iran crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
