Iran Accuses US of Violating Ceasefire Amid Rising Tensions in West Asia
Iran has accused the United States of breaking the ceasefire, while the US claims to have shot down four Iranian drones. Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in a death toll of 3,593, including the killing of a military general and other personnel. The US has also cut $57 million from the United Nations budget and eliminated 3,000 staff positions, citing bias within the UN.
April 24, Kathmandu – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has accused the US of violating the ceasefire. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the US, instead of reducing tensions, is endangering security across the entire Middle East region through its military actions. In a statement shared on social media platform X, Iran stated, “The US has attacked Iran’s coastal radar and surveillance centers located in the Sirik area and Qeshm Island, a clear breach of the ceasefire.” Iran warned that the US would bear full responsibility for any circumstances and consequences arising from this attack.
The death toll in Lebanon has reached 3,593. Since the Israeli offensive began on March 2, at least 3,593 people have been killed and 10,990 injured. In the past 24 hours alone, 35 have died and 120 have been wounded. On Saturday, Israeli attacks killed 10 people, including a Lebanese military brigadier general. Following these assaults, authorities have ordered evacuations in many areas.
In an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, 54-year-old Lebanese Brigadier General Wissam Sabbara, Captain Ali Khoury, and soldier Hussein Ghouzal were among those killed. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawab Salam described the incident as a heinous crime, while President Joseph Aoun said it would undermine peace efforts. According to journalist Nour Odeh, approximately 20% of Lebanon’s territory is known as the “Yellow Line,” which currently serves as a zone of intense conflict within Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed to have carried out at least 25 military operations on Saturday, targeting Israeli Merkava tanks and troops in southern Lebanon. Independent Lebanese MP Najat Aoun Saliba stated that war is not an option and that resolution must be sought through dialogue. According to the US, four Iranian drones advancing toward the Strait of Hormuz were shot down as were US attacks on radar sites on Qeshm Island.
In response, Iran claimed to have launched seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain, which were intercepted before impact. Yemen, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Iran’s attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi conveyed an important message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, urging an end to the US-Israel conflict.
According to a CNN report, a potential peace agreement with the US is stalled over the release of $24 billion in Iranian frozen assets. Iran demands immediate release of $12 billion as stipulated in the agreement, but the US remains reluctant. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly considering using the frozen assets for Gulf countries’ reconstruction (Kuwait, Bahrain, etc.) and to compensate for damages caused or expected from Iran, Reuters reports.
US Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly opposed proposals to increase military aid to Israel. He criticized efforts to funnel additional funding to Israel hidden within the National Defense Authorization Act, saying the American public expresses outrage over financing Israel’s war expenses. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie have also opposed the proposal. Analyst Shibley Telhami noted that, even after 100 days of war, the American public remains largely against it, causing political damage to former President Trump.
The US Department of Defense’s Defense Intelligence Agency has raised its assessment of Israeli espionage threats from a high to a “critical” level. There are concerns that Israel might be spying within the White House’s internal discussions related to ending the war. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the UN Jeff Bartos informed that to eliminate perceived bias against the US and Israel, the UN has cut 3,000 staff positions and reduced its budget by $57 million (570 million dollars).