Iran is stopping message exchanges with U.S., may block Hormuz, Tasnim news agency says

DUBAI, June 1 (Reuters) – Tehran’s negotiating team has stopped exchanging messages through mediators with the United States over attacks on Lebanon, Iran’s Tasnim news agency said on Monday, as diplomatic efforts continue to end the three-month-long war with Iran.

The Resistance Front, which includes Iran and its Shiite allies in Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq, has set an agenda to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and mobilize other fronts, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, in order to “punish” Israel and its supporters, the agency said.

If the Houthis, Iran’s allies in Yemen, open a new front in the conflict, one obvious target would be the Bab al-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen, a key shipping point and narrow passage controlling maritime traffic towards the Suez Canal.

“A violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The United States and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on channel X on Monday, referring to Israel’s operations in Lebanon. he said.

Thousands of people, especially in Iran and Lebanon, lost their lives in the war started by the USA and Israel on February 28. It has also caused global economic pain by increasing energy prices since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global supply route for oil and liquefied natural gas.

Tasnim said, “The necessity of immediately stopping the Zionist regime’s aggressive and brutal military operations in Gaza and Lebanon and the complete withdrawal of the regime from the occupied areas in Lebanon has been emphasized by Iranian officials and negotiators, and no talks will be held until the views of Iran and the resistance on this issue are met.” he added.

(Reporting by Elwely Elwelly; Editing by Kevin Liffey)