Tensions briefly escalated during US-Iran negotiations as President Donald Trump ordered mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz and warned against possible Chinese weapons transfers to Iran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned on Monday (local time) that "warships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will face a strong response," adding that it "will not allow US military mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz."
According to Reuters and AFP, the IRGC issued a statement to Iran's state broadcaster IRIB stating that "only non-military vessels are permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under specific regulations."
The announcement appears aimed at blocking US military mine-clearing operations that began during face-to-face US-Iran negotiations mediated by Pakistan the previous day. Earlier, US Central Command announced that "CENTCOM forces have begun establishing conditions for mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz," adding that "two US Navy guided-missile destroyers have transited the Strait of Hormuz." CENTCOM also indicated it would continue mine-clearing operations in the strait.
According to marine data service MarineTraffic, 16 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on the day of the US-Iran negotiations, with most believed to have ties to Iran. US Central Command said it had assisted three vessels flagged in China, Hong Kong, and Liberia in transiting the strait that day.
President Trump told reporters at the White House, "It doesn't matter to me whether we reach a ceasefire agreement with Iran," adding that "from America's perspective, we win regardless of the outcome." The remarks appear intended to downplay expectations amid growing possibilities of a breakdown in talks.
Trump also issued a strong warning regarding a New York Times report that China may have recently provided weapons directly to Iran, stating that "China will face major problems if it sends weapons to Iran."
The NYT reported that "US intelligence agencies have obtained information in recent weeks suggesting China may have provided man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran." The potential Chinese weapons transfers to Iran create an uncomfortable situation for Trump, who is scheduled to visit China next month for a summit with President Xi Jinping.
Israel continued its attacks on Lebanon targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah even as US-Iran negotiations were underway.
According to Reuters, Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Sunday (local time) killed at least 18 people. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 8 people in a village near Sidon in south-central Lebanon and at least 10 people, including three rescue workers, in the southeastern Nabatieh region.
Hezbollah, one of the Iran-backed "Axis of Resistance" militant groups, operates from southern Lebanon near the Israeli border. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that "the Air Force continues to strike Hezbollah infrastructure to prevent attacks against Israeli civilians."
Israel has not halted military operations in Lebanon even after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on the 8th. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that a total of 2,020 people have been killed and 6,436 wounded in Lebanon since the war with Iran began.
