The ceasefire between United States and Iran remains hanging by a thread, especially after the blockade announced by Donald Trump of the Straits of Hormuz. The main obstacle to reaching an agreement, besides the inclusion of Lebanon in the truce, is the Iranian nuclear program, which the ayatollahs are not willing to give up despite being the main U.S. demand to cease hostilities.
Despite the gap on that point, Iran has reportedly offered, according to The New York Times, to suspend nuclear activity for up to five years, a proposal that was rejected by United States, which demands 20 years. However, the discussions suggest that there could still be a way to reach a peace agreement, with a possible second round of negotiations again in Pakistan or in a neutral country.
Lavrov calls to avoid the resumption of armed conflicts in Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for avoiding a return to armed conflicts in Iran and reiterated Moscow's readiness to support the search for a peaceful solution for the Persian nation, as reported by Russian diplomacy on Tuesday, according to Efe.
"Lavrov emphasized the importance of avoiding a new armed confrontation, reaffirmed Russia's continued readiness to help resolve the crisis, which has no military solution," Foreign Affairs said in a note on the telephone conversation between the Russian minister and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi, held on Monday.
Gasoline prices surged by 4.8% in March and diesel by 17.9%
The price of gasoline surged by 4.8% in March, diesel rose by 17.9%, and electricity increased by 4.3% due to the impact of gas prices in the first month after the outbreak of the war in Iran, as confirmed on Tuesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
The general inflation in the country rose by more than one point, from 2.3% in February to 3.4% in March on a year-on-year basis, one-tenth more than what the Institute had anticipated at the end of last month. This implies that prices rose by 1.2% in March compared to February.
Ukrainian Intelligence claims Russia provided Iran with information on energy targets in Israel
During the 40-day War, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Israel, with which he initiated the offensive against Iran ("we act as big brother and little brother"), and the Arab countries under Iranian attacks while criticizing NATO. What he did not do is point out who, according to Ukraine and other sources cited by various media, provided assistance to the Iranian regime: Russia.
Moscow denies it and shows its support for negotiations to end a war that, on the other hand, has not harmed it. Not only because it diverted attention from its war with Ukraine. First, its ally in Tehran has not fallen, which would have been a severe blow to the regional strategy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the departure of Bashar Assad in Syria at the end of 2024. Second, the flames of the fire in the Middle East reached its enemy, NATO, immersed in a tough confrontation between Trump and his allies. Additionally, the U.S. temporarily lifted some sanctions imposed on Russian oil in order to contain the energy crisis and stabilize global prices following the Iranian blockade of the Straits of Hormuz.
The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports is a "serious violation" of sovereignty
The Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations has condemned the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports as a "serious violation" of its sovereignty, as reported by the BBC.
In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, Amir Saeid Iravani states that the "illegal" blockade "constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of international maritime law."
Two U.S.-sanctioned tankers cross Ormuz despite the blockade
Despite the blockade imposed in Ormuz on Monday by Donald Trump, two U.S.-sanctioned tankers have crossed the strait, as shown by navigation data collected on Tuesday by Reuters.
The two vessels that have sailed through the strategic waterway are a Chinese tanker, the Rich Starry, and another tanker, the Murlikishan.
U.S. confirms Rubio will participate in talks between Lebanon and Israel
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate in the Tuesday meeting between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel in Washington.
Yechiel Leiter, from Israel, and Nada Hamadeh Moawad, from Lebanon, will join Rubio in the talks scheduled for 11:30 ET (15:30 GMT) at the State Department.
Israel reports the death of a soldier in Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that one of its soldiers died in combat in southern Lebanon, while three others were injured, as reported by the BBC.
"In the incident in which Sergeant Major (Reserve) Ayal Uriel Bianco fell, one reservist was seriously injured, and two other reservists suffered minor injuries," the Israeli army wrote on Telegram.
The wounded soldiers have been taken to the hospital, and their families have been notified.