Seventeen countries condemn Israel's attack on Lebanon and call for de-escalation in the region.
¬ Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense: U.S. announcement to block the Strait of Hormuz is counterproductive
¬ European Commission expects Hungary's new government to lift obstruction on Kyiv loans and EU sanctions against Russia
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Seventeen nations have condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanon and called for Lebanon's inclusion in the Middle East de-escalation process.
The statement was jointly signed by foreign ministers from Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The seventeen countries also denounced violent actions by both sides, welcomed Lebanon’s initiative to hold direct talks with Israel, and reaffirmed support for maintaining Lebanon’s territorial integrity.
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“The decision by the United States to blockade the Strait of Hormuz is counterproductive and irrational—it effectively amounts to military action against Washington’s allies,” said Chas Freeman, a retired diplomat and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, in an interview with Sputnik News Agency.
Speaking about the U.S. decision to impose the blockade, Freeman stated: “It’s irrational, counterproductive, and ultimately unsustainable.”
In his view, the blockade not only undermines ceasefire mechanisms but, if extended to non-Iranian vessels, would constitute military action against third countries.
Freeman added: “If the blockade expands beyond Iranian ships, it would mean taking military action against countries that have obtained diplomatic approval from Iran to allow their vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz—countries including U.S. allies such as Japan and South Korea, as well as major global and regional powers like China, India, and Turkey.”
Late Monday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) began implementing directives issued by President Donald Trump following the collapse of negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
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European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Dombrovskis said the European Commission expects Hungary’s new government to no longer obstruct EU loans to Ukraine or the 20th round of sanctions against Russia.
Previously, sources at RIA Novosti reported that although Orbán lost the Hungarian parliamentary election, there are currently no plans among EU member states' permanent representatives to restart negotiations on the 20th package of sanctions.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862463554647056/
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