The Israeli Minister of Defense stated on Wednesday that Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, this decision is being viewed as a new element of tension in the region, occurring against the backdrop of ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as part of his tour of the Middle East, is working to reassure allies regarding the credibility of the negotiation process. He emphasized that Washington will not take any steps that would compromise the security of Gulf nations.
US President Donald Trump has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the talks, noting that Iran has made significant concessions. Despite this, concerns among some regional allies persist.
Meanwhile, the increase in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic progress have led to a decline in energy markets. The price of Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, fell by 4.6%, dropping below $74 per barrel.
According to reports, several commercial vessels have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz under an evacuation mechanism implemented by the UN shipping agency. Simultaneously, officials from Oman and Qatar have discussed regional developments and the trajectory of the peace talks.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) maintains its advisory against using the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, addressed the meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in Baku, characterizing the agreement reached as a political defeat for the United States. Concurrently, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities will proceed.
The US Embassy in Kuwait has resumed operations, which had been suspended following attacks in March. In the US Senate, a vote was held regarding the limitation of President Donald Trump's military powers against Iran, though it is reported that this measure will not have an immediate impact on the current diplomatic process.
The Middle East remains a critical geopolitical theater, where the intersection of nuclear diplomacy, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, and ongoing conflicts in Lebanon continues to shape global energy prices and international security policies.
