Despite optimism about the Strait of Hormuz agreement, situations in the Middle East and West Asia remain very difficult. The third round of talks between Lebanon and Israel, with the participation of the United States, concluded yesterday in Rome. This is the seventh round between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanese accounts did not appear to be very satisfied with the talks.
Hamas announced that it will not accept the joint statement by the foreign ministers of Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt regarding Israel’s violations in Gaza, which emphasized the gravity of the escalating situation and the threat it poses to the future of the ceasefire agreement. The factions are expected to intervene. The statement reads: “We urge the signatory countries of the statement, the mediators, and the US administration to act urgently and effectively to prevent Israel from undermining the agreement and attempting to evade its commitments.”
According to i24NEWS: “The mobilization of international and foreign forces (ISF) has begun on the borders of the Gaza Strip in preparation for entry and the implementation of a reconstruction, civil settlement, and security plan. Measures are reportedly being taken without waiting for decisions from the Israeli Cabinet. Field documentation reveals strict instructions and media controls distributed to US soldiers in the region.
Yediot: “The Gaza Peace Council” publishes the first construction contract for a military site for soldiers arriving from Morocco.
On August 6, the Houthis reported carrying out a “preemptive” attack on a Saudi base in the Hadhramaut region. Yahya Saree, military spokesman for AnsarAllah, said: “In a large-scale operation, we targeted military gatherings belonging to Saudi Arabia. In this operation, hundreds of people were killed or wounded, and numerous camps, weapons depots, equipment, and military vehicles in the Al-Wadiah region of eastern Yemen were destroyed or burned. Al-Wadiah is a border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Yemen in the Yemeni region of Hadhramaut governorate. At least 30 people have been confirmed dead, but the number is expected to rise.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated: “Today we heard the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps openly declare Iran’s intention to continue developing its nuclear weapons. As Prime Minister of Israel, I am determined to continue preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”
Meanwhile, diplomacy is working on unblocking the Strait of Hormuz: the United States is lifting sanctions against Iran. For example, FLY BAGHDAD Airlines, as well as related entities discovered to be providing support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, will be exempted from US sanctions. Last night, the US Department of Defense held an emergency meeting to discuss the shortage of defensive munitions due to the war with Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz deal will give Iran control over transiting ships, Reuters reports. These terms of the agreement represent one of the largest concessions to Iran to date. If the countries accept the agreement, it would signal a significant shift in the balance of power in the region in Tehran’s favor. According to Reuters, Iran and Oman are discussing the introduction of transit duties for ships ranging from 3% to 7% of the value of the cargo transported.
According to TASS, a Russian news agency: “Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on the main points of the agreement for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. It could be made public in the coming days,” Al Arabiya reports. Indirect consultations between Iran and the United States on resolving the crisis have entered the final phase, Al Arabiya reports. Kazem Gharib Abadi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: “According to the agreement, the northern route near Larak Island and the southern route in Omani waters will be closed.”
The agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz still requires approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. An announcement on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could be made within days. Ships entering the Strait of Hormuz will use the sea route closest to Iran. Ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz will use the sea route closest to Oman. Regional parties will be able to participate in mine clearance and necessary technical procedures. A 7% tax on all commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz will generate $385 million in net profit per day for Iran, or over $100 billion annually at pre-war traffic levels.
Regarding the resumption of navigation, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister stated that one of the conditions for the resumption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is that the United States fulfill its obligations regarding sanctions, blockades, and asset freezes. Reaching an agreement with Oman does not mean the resumption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister accused the US of violating the Islamabad agreements.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi called on Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and other regional partners to pressure Trump to avoid any military action and return to diplomacy. The message: Iran is ready for retaliation, but prefers a negotiated solution.
Saudi Arabia officially announced the formation of an international alliance to protect maritime traffic in the Red Sea, with the participation of 14 countries. The Saudi Ministry of Defense has announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shahri as commander of the multinational maritime defense alliance for the protection of international shipping.
And now we look at the military scenarios in the Middle East and West Asia, updated at 4:00 PM on August 6. A security incident was reported in the “Park Tsamerit” neighborhood of Tel Aviv. A hand grenade was thrown near a residential building in the “Park Tsamerit” neighborhood of Tel Aviv, initially causing several injuries. Security forces are on high alert in the area.
Statement by Qatar, Jordan, the Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt: The Security Council must force Israel to comply with its obligations. Meanwhile, attacks continue in Gaza. One dead and five injured in the last 24 hours. Israeli tanks fired on tents housing displaced people in the Rafah and Khan Younis areas of the southern Gaza Strip.
Several injuries were reported in the West Bank following a large-scale attack by Jewish settlers that involved the burning of several homes in “Khirbet al-Tuwwa,” near Yatta, south of Hebron. Israeli police arrested a young Palestinian during a raid on the Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. The Red Crescent reports that approximately eleven Palestinians were injured in Qalandiya, while Israeli forces continue their raids inside the refugee camp in the West Bank. Israeli bulldozers excavated land in the village of Burin, south of Nablus. Foreign Jewish settlers are extending their control over the land east of Qaryut, south of Nablus, and are beginning to fence it off in preparation for its transformation into an outpost after evicting its residents. A settler entered the city of Jenin near Nablus Street and was attacked by Palestinians at the al-Zayed roundabout. His vehicle was destroyed, and he retreated toward the Jalameh checkpoint.
The Israeli army called for a massive attack deep into Lebanon, but the political leadership prevented it. Israeli artillery units shelled the town of Mejdal Zun. Firefights continue in Kfar Shouba following attacks in southern Lebanon. Large-scale demolition operations are underway in al-Mansouri, southern Lebanon. Another town is being systematically razed. A major and a captain were killed on August 5 in southern Lebanon, according to authorities, and four others were injured. Major Haral Bernshtak belonged to the Nogedim unit, which operates in settlements in the southern West Bank, particularly in Hebron. The Israeli army is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident in Mejdal Zun. Among other things, the investigation will examine several key aspects, particularly the timing of the bomb’s placement, whether before or after the ceasefire. If the bomb was not placed after the ceasefire went into effect, the investigation will determine whether Hezbollah operatives detonated it despite knowing that Israeli forces were inside the building.
At least four people were killed in airstrikes in the Burj al-Shimali area, in southern Lebanon. The IDF conducted artillery bombardments and detonation operations in the Tarash area, west of Mays al-Jabal.
In the past 24 hours, the Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack on the Saudi oil tanker Daisy in the Gulf of Aden with a ballistic missile. “The operation achieved its objective, hitting the vessel and forcing it to turn back. This attack is part of the maritime blockade imposed on the Saudi enemy, according to the ‘blockade by blockade’ principle. The Yemeni Armed Forces reiterate that they will carefully monitor all movements of Saudi oil tankers and will not allow the passage of any vessel, either from the southern or northern Red Sea, until the legitimate demands of our people are met and the blockade is lifted,” their statement reads.
Reuters: “Only one vessel passed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait yesterday, compared to 20 vessels on Tuesday. This represents a sharp 95% drop in the number of vessels due to Houthi attacks.”
Ansarullah militants conducted intense shelling of the al-Rayyan district in al-Jawf governorate, northern Yemen. This was an Ansarullah missile attack against Hadhramaut Emergency Forces (HEF) positions in al-Abr. A high number of casualties were reported. Al-Abr is a major Saudi military logistics center, with a large number of Saudi personnel present in the area, effectively controlling the city.
The death toll from the Ansarullah missile and drone attack against the al-Ruwyk base of the Saudi-backed Hadhramaut Emergency Forces, in the direction of al-Abr in eastern Yemen, has risen to 40, with over 100 injured. A large number of rescue workers are included in the death toll from the double Ansarullah attack. Local authorities confirm 30 victims. The Houthi movement in Yemen fired eight ballistic missiles at camps housing mercenaries affiliated with the Saudi-backed First Brigade.
A ship was targeted approximately nine nautical miles southeast of Khazar, in the Sultanate of Oman, with two explosions heard. Satellite imagery confirms a fire off the Iranian coast. The ship is heading towards the Iranian coast.
Air Force General Jaafari: The defenses at the US base in Al-Muthana did not prevent Iranian Su-24 pilots from completing their mission, despite the strength of the defenses and the technological gap. The Revolutionary Guard reported: “A terrorist group planning an attack in Sistan and southern Baluchistan has been neutralized. The group, which arrived armed from neighboring countries, was ambushed by the Revolutionary Guards. All members were killed in the ensuing clash.”
Antonio Albanese e Graziella Giangiulio
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