CENTCOM chief in Israel today and in other regional countries, reports Al-Monitor
The highest-ranking Pentagon commander for the Middle East, U.S. Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, is visiting Israel today and several other U.S.-allied countries in the region, as the Trump administration seeks to consolidate the cease-fire currently in place with Iran, in hopes of resuming diplomatic negotiations next week aimed at permanently ending the war, reports Al-Monitor, a U.S. media outlet covering the Middle East.
The arrival in Israel of Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), follows a tour this week by Washington’s top diplomat, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, across several Arab Gulf countries.
CENTCOM has not yet issued any statement on the matter.
Maersk says 2 of its vessels exited Gulf safely
Shipping group Maersk said on Thursday the Maersk Baltimore and a time-chartered vessel had successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Gulf overnight.
"The transits were completed in close coordination with our security partners and followed thorough security assessments," Maersk said in a statement.
The war in Iran that began on February 28 has disrupted travel and cargo across the wider Middle East, and many vessels, including those belonging to Maersk, as well as competitors Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM, have been unable to enter or leave the Gulf.
Of three vessels remaining in the Gulf, Maersk said it would pursue one additional Hormuz transit at a later stage, with the remaining two to be deployed on intra-Gulf services.
Of 47,000 containers Maersk had bound for the Gulf region at the onset of the conflict, 44,000 have now been delivered, with 3,000 still pending final delivery, according to Maersk.
Imposing a new geopolitical reality on Gulf states will not bring stability, warns the diplomatic adviser to the Emirati president
The diplomatic adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash, said that imposing a new geopolitical reality on Gulf states following a “treacherous aggression against them” would not bring “stability,” specifying that this position applies specifically to the Strait of Hormuz.
He said on X that it is impossible to impose new geopolitical facts on Arab Gulf states following such aggression, adding that imposing a state of affairs resulting from aggression does not create stability but instead sows new seeds of discord and future conflict, and that this applies specifically to the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran warns against any passage through Hormuz without its authorization
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned against any passage through the Strait of Hormuz without Iranian authorization and threatened vessels that do not comply with “appropriate measures.” The future of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route and de facto controlled by Iran during the war, remains a point of contention in talks between Tehran and Washington.
Iran is considering imposing “transit fees” that did not exist before the war, while the United States opposes this, arguing that it is an “international waterway,” even though the strait’s waters border Iran and the Sultanate of Oman.
“The only authorized route for passage through the Strait of Hormuz is the one announced by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Revolutionary Guards said. Any passage without Iran’s authorization is “unacceptable and dangerous” and will be subject to “appropriate measures,” they warned in a statement criticizing “the announcement by certain authorities of a new maritime route.”
Hormuz is a narrow waterway about 30 kilometers wide separating Iran and Oman. The only passage authorized by Iran runs through a corridor close to its coast.
The memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington to end the war provides that commercial ships may pass through the Strait of Hormuz without fees for 60 days only. It also states that Iran will take steps, making its best efforts, to ensure the security of commercial shipping. Iran and Oman said on Tuesday that they will study possible “fees” that could be charged for services related to the administration of the strait. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Gulf countries, reiterated on Tuesday that Washington will not accept tolls or fees on passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Fragile calm in south Lebanon despite minor violations
A fragile calm continues to prevail in south Lebanon this morning after the cease-fire that came into effect last Saturday evening. The night was quiet, despite some limited Israeli violations, including artillery fire near border towns, our correspondent in the south, reports.
'Declaration of intent' expected as Lebanon–Israel talks near conclusion
A “declaration of intent” is expected to be issued Thursday at the end of the Lebanon–Israel negotiation cycle, according to Issa. U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa said Wednesday evening on Al-Jadeed TV, after the second day of talks in Washington, that the atmosphere in the discussions is “good” and that he expects a “declaration of intent” between the two countries at the end of the round of talks.
He added that the “pilot zones” would be selected and a declaration issued. He had previously reported a “deadlock” over these zones.
Israeli soldier killed in road accident in occupied south Lebanon
The Israeli army announced the death of one of its soldiers, a member of the Golani Brigade, in a road accident in southern Lebanon.
The “sergeant major Bassel Soueid, 32,” was a driver, it said.
According to Israeli army radio, the accident occurred overnight near Rebb Talatine, a village in the Marjayoun district located in the eastern sector of the border strip occupied by Israel. A total of 37 Israeli soldiers and one contractor have been killed in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah accuses Israel of cease-fire violation after Kfar Roummane strike
Hezbollah accused Israel of a “violation of the cease-fire” after a deadly drone strike on Kfar Roummane on Wednesday. After the Israeli army killed two people in a drone strike in Kfar Roummane in the Nabatieh district, Hezbollah condemned a new “flagrant” violation of the cease-fire. It said Israeli forces deliberately targeted civilians inspecting their homes in the area of Doha Kfar Roummane. The movement said this constitutes a “flagrant violation of the cease-fire to which the resistance has adhered.”
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of events in Lebanon and the Middle East,
As a new round of Lebanon–Israel talks in Washington under U.S. mediation is set to conclude, alongside developments in the Strait of Hormuz linked to tensions between the United States and Iran.
The discussions in Washington come as a fragile calm appears to hold in south Lebanon, despite sporadic violations of the cease-fire reported since it came into effect.
Catch up on what you missed yesterday and what to keep an eye out for today by reading our👉 Morning Brief.
Already have an account? Login here
You have reached your article limit
Take advantage our special summer offer.
Stay informed for 7 months for the price of 6, for only $40.
This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers.
Already have an account? Login here
