Iran issues permits for ships to transit Hormuz, EU not ready to lift Iran sanctions
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23 segmentsAl Jazeera Podcasts. U.S.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Switzerland to lead the next stage of negotiations with Iran as part of the memorandum of understanding to end the war. Both countries signed the agreement on Wednesday and several elements of it are already in effect, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Supreme National Security Council says authorities are issuing permits quickly for ships. to transit the waterway and to do it toll-free. You're looking at a time lapse of increased passage through the straight earlier on Thursday. The U.S. is also lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mashdaba Haminae says that he approved the Memorandum of Understanding despite reservations.
In a written statement, he said, I, as a matter of principle, held a different view. However, out of the commitment of the esteemed president and his explicit acceptance of that responsibility, I granted my permission. He also explicitly stated that if the American side seeks to make excessive demands, they will not submit to them. Lebanese state media say at least three people have been killed in separate Israeli airstrikes across the south on Thursday. An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle near Navatia killing two people. In a separate attack, at least one person was killed in Zabadine. The attacks come in spite of comments from Donald Trump telling Israel to wind down its operation in Lebanon. On Thursday, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on two Hezbollah members.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qasem has reacted to the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, describing it as a great victory. The European Union's top diplomat says the bloc is not yet ready to lift its sanctions on Iran. The EU currently maintains multilateral sanctions, targeting over 700 individuals and entities in Iran. Kaya Kallis told Rep. reporters, they're not there yet, but that they're open to discussions at a later date. Coming up on the take, after more than 100 days of war, the U.S. and Iran say they've reached a deal. So who really comes out ahead? That's the take by Al Jazeera. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.