Prakash Kafle / Kathmandu. Israel has carried out a large-scale attack on Lebanon, once again escalating tensions in West Asia. According to international media, at least 254 people have been killed and more than 1,100 injured in Wednesday’s bombings across various areas, including the capital Beirut. The death toll is expected to rise further.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has strongly condemned the incident, warning that Israel will have to face the consequences. In response to the attack, Iran has announced a halt to the movement of oil tankers through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. According to the semi-official Fars News Agency, the decision to close the Strait of Hormuz has already been made public.
Earlier, Iran had agreed to a 14-day ceasefire and had indicated reopening the strait. Under that agreement, two oil tankers were allowed to pass through the route on Wednesday morning with permission.
However, the IRGC has stated that despite the ceasefire remaining in place, its military preparedness remains unchanged. Both Iran and the United States had described the temporary ceasefire as a success for their respective sides.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clarified that issues related to Lebanon do not fall within the scope of the ceasefire. Supporting his statement, U.S. President Donald Trump also said that there is no ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif had expressed hope for peace in West Asia, including Iran. However, analysts suggest that Israel’s latest attack has increased the risk of a wider regional conflict.
लेबनानमा इजरायलको भीषण आक्रमण, इरानद्वारा हर्मुज जलडमरूमध्य पुनः अवरुद्ध
