Tehran Makes Cessation of Israeli Operations in Lebanon a Condition to Finalize Hormuz Agreement

Informed sources reported that Iran has reportedly made the completion of the Strait of Hormuz agreement conditional on Israel's withdrawal from military operations in Lebanon or halting its escalation, in a move that redraws the complexities of the Washington-Tehran negotiations and keeps uncertainty prevailing in global energy markets.

The sources explained that Iranian negotiators reportedly insisted on linking the economic dossier to the regional security dossier, refusing to separate the Strait issue from developments on the Lebanese front. Reports indicated that this condition caught European mediators off guard and brought the dossier back to a new point of complexity after arduous rounds of negotiations.

On the market front, these developments kept oil prices above $105 per barrel, as markets reportedly remain cautious about early optimism regarding a breakthrough in the crisis. Analysts believe that any agreement remains fragile unless the broader regional issue is addressed, which amplifies potential risks to global energy supplies.

The Washington-Tehran negotiations are passing through a critical juncture, given the intertwining of security and economic dossiers and the multiplicity of influential parties in the settlement process. Observers suggest that the upcoming phase will witness intensive diplomatic pressure to convince all parties to make concessions that allow moving toward a permanent agreement, amid huge economic repercussions borne by the global economy due to ongoing tensions.