Hezbollah Sets Mutual Ceasefire Terms, Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz

Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, has stated that the ongoing truce with Israel cannot hold unless it is fully mutual and respected by both sides. He outlined steps for peace, including a complete Israeli withdrawal and a halt to all aggression against Lebanon. Concurrently, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing U.S. violations of ceasefire conditions. These developments occur amidst warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump against Iranian actions.

Key Points: Hezbollah's Truce Demands, Iran Closes Key Strait

  • Truce must be mutual
  • Demands full Israeli withdrawal
  • Warns of response to violations
  • Iran closes Strait of Hormuz
  • US-Iran tensions escalate
3 min read

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem sets ceasefire terms, says truce must be mutual, warns of response to 'violations'

Hezbollah chief outlines mutual ceasefire terms with Israel as Iran's Revolutionary Guard closes the Strait of Hormuz, escalating regional tensions.

"A ceasefire means a complete cessation of all hostilities. - Naim Qassem"

Beirut, April 19

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has outlined a series of steps required to achieve peace. He said the ongoing 10-day truce with Israel cannot continue unless it is respected by both sides, stressing that this would require a complete halt to air, land, and sea "aggression" against Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.

Qassem also called for a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, according to Al Jazeera.

He added that subsequent steps would include the release of prisoners and the return of residents to their homes in border areas, as reported by Al Jazeera.

According to him, the final phase would involve a large-scale reconstruction effort with support from Arab countries, as per Al Jazeera.

Separately, Qassem reiterated that the truce cannot hold unless both sides adhere to it. "A ceasefire means a complete cessation of all hostilities," he said, warning that his fighters would respond to Israeli actions in Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.

"Because we do not trust this enemy," he said, "the resistance fighters will remain in the field with their hands on the trigger, and they will respond to violations accordingly," he added, as reported by Al Jazeera.

"There is no ceasefire from the side of the resistance only; it must be from both sides," Qassem added, according to Al Jazeera.

As per Al Jazeera, speaking two days into the ceasefire in Lebanon, he added, "We are open to cooperation with the [state] in Lebanon on a new page based on achieving our national sovereignty and preventing strife."

Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) has announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed from this evening, amid tensions linked to a 10-day ceasefire with the US and Israel.

In a statement, the IRGC said the move followed violations of ceasefire conditions, alleging that the US had not lifted the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. "Therefore, from this evening, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until this blockade is lifted," the statement said.

It also warned vessels against approaching the Strait, stating, "We warn that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, and approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the violating vessel will be targeted."

Earlier, Iran had said it would prioritise ships that pay fees for crossing, citing limited capacity under new restrictions. "Given the limitation on the number of vessels that will be allowed to pass, Iran has decided to give priority to those vessels that respond more quickly to the new Strait of Hormuz protocols and pay the costs of security and safety services," a senior official said.

The developments come as US President Donald Trump warned that Iran was no longer in a position to "blackmail" Washington amid escalating tensions.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The demand for a complete halt to aggression sounds reasonable on paper. However, the history of violations from both sides makes any lasting peace seem like a distant dream. The ordinary Lebanese and Israeli citizens suffer the most.
A
Arjun K
Iran closing the Strait is a major concern. A huge portion of India's oil imports pass through there. Our government should immediately engage in diplomatic talks to ensure the safety of our vessels and secure our energy supply lines. Jai Hind.
P
Priya S
While the call for reconstruction with Arab support is a positive step, the "hands on the trigger" rhetoric is worrying. Peace cannot be built on threats. There needs to be a third-party mediator both sides can trust, maybe from the UN.
V
Vikram M
The situation is a powder keg. India has historically maintained good relations with both the Arab world and Israel. We are in a unique position to advocate for de-escalation. Our foreign policy should be proactive, not reactive, in this crisis.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, the article relies solely on Al Jazeera and statements from one side. It would be better to have a more balanced report including the Israeli government's perspective on these ceasefire terms. Just my two cents.
M
Michael C
The priority

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50