Washington: The United States and Iran remain distant from ending their ongoing conflict, as Iran has yet to respond to a ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, Israel launched a significant attack on Lebanon, resulting in nearly 40 casualties.
According to Thai News Agency, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz was relatively calm over the weekend following sporadic clashes. The United States awaits Iran's response to its latest proposal aimed at concluding the more than two-month-long conflict and initiating peace negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated that a response was expected within hours, but as of now, Iran has not reacted to the proposal. The proposal seeks to formally end the conflict before addressing more complex issues, such as Iran's nuclear program. With President Donald Trump set to visit China next week, the urgency to resolve the conflict has increased, given its impact on energy markets and the global economy.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States of engaging in "reckless military adventure" following the interception of an Iranian oil tanker by the US military in the Strait of Hormuz last Thursday, which resulted in injuries and missing persons. Araghchi alleged that the US frequently resorts to military action instead of pursuing diplomatic solutions, referencing President Trump's recent peace proposal to end the over ten-week-long conflict.
In Lebanon, the Israeli army engaged in heavy airstrikes against Hezbollah, killing at least 39 people, as reported by the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The attacks took place across southern Lebanon, including the town of Zakhsakih and other areas such as Nabataeh and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Since the resurgence of hostilities on March 2, the death toll in Lebanon has risen to 2,795, with thousands injured, despite a US-backed ceasefire announced in mid-April.
Representatives from Lebanon and Israel are expected to participate in a new round of talks in Washington, D.C. next week in a bid to find a lasting resolution to the conflict, amid ongoing violence and geopolitical tension in the region.