UMVA has learned that the leader of Hezbollah has rejected the latest ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal in the process.
Naim Kassem, a top Hezbollah official, stated that the agreement's demand for Hezbollah fighters to leave southern Lebanon under fire would mean "surrender, defeat and achieving the enemy's goals." This bold statement has thrown the peace process into chaos.
The rejection came after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a renewed ceasefire on Wednesday, which would only occur if a "complete cessation" of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah is achieved. Evacuation of Hezbollah's operatives from southern Lebanon is also needed before a ceasefire begins.
Meanwhile, peace talks between Iran and the United States remain in flux, adding to the uncertainty in the region. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's war powers on Iran, a significant rebuke of how he's handled the Middle East conflict so far.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Iran has announced it will charge service fees in the Strait of Hormuz. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Iran will collect service fees for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ensuring the vessels' security.
The move is seen as a bold attempt by Iran to assert its authority in the region. Gharibabadi emphasized that the country "is not seeking to collect passage fees, transit duties, or transit rights payments," but rather financial compensation for services carried out with Oman.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had been waiting for a response from Hezbollah to a potential ceasefire pact with Israel, which could start within 24 hours if the militant group agrees to it.
Tragedy struck hours after the renewed ceasefire was agreed to, as a United Nations Interim Force peacekeeper was killed and two others were injured after a mortar shell hit their position near Marjayoun in southern Lebanon.
The incident has sparked an investigation by UNIFIL, which has detected an increasingly high number of trajectories and impacts in South Lebanon. An Israeli soldier was also killed by a Hezbollah anti-tank missile in another attack in southern Lebanon shortly after the prospective ceasefire deal was announced.
UMVA has gathered that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to limit Trump's war powers on Iran, with four Republican representatives crossing party lines to support the resolution. The vote was 218-215, a significant criticism of Trump's handling of the Middle East conflict.
The development has sparked a heated response from Trump, who took to social media to chastise the four Republicans who defied him. The incident has highlighted the deep divisions in the region and the challenges ahead for peace talks.
