The United States and Iran have agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, but both sides have imposed conditions. President Donald Trump stated that Iran and the US were cooperating to remove underwater mines from the waterway.
Iran has stipulated that all shipping must use a designated laneway in the Strait. Meanwhile, President Trump said the US Navy would not allow Iranian ships to travel through the Strait until there is a formal end to the war.
The reopening has been cautiously welcomed by world leaders who met overnight to discuss a defensive mission aimed at restoring safe passage through the strategic waterway. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among nearly 50 leaders attending the virtual summit, jointly chaired by the UK and France.
The group discussed forming a multinational defensive mission to escort commercial ships through the strait once a more permanent ceasefire holds. Twelve countries have already committed military assets, but the Australian government has not disclosed what it has offered or been asked to provide.
Separately, Lebanon's President has called for the ten-day ceasefire with Israel to become a permanent agreement. President Trump said he is prohibiting Israel from bombing Lebanon, stating 'enough is enough.' However, reports indicate one person was killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire. The IDF says it reserves the right to continue targeting Hezbollah.
