Speaking during a visit to Baghdad, Araghchi said efforts to establish alternative maritime arrangements outside those accepted by Iran would complicate the reopening of the strategically vital waterway and risk further instability in the Gulf.

“Any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements compared to what is underway by the Islamic Republic of Iran will only lead to more complicated situations and delays in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and will increase tensions,” Araghchi told a joint press conference.

His remarks followed reports that commercial vessels continued using a shipping corridor not approved by Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Friday that Oman and the International Maritime Organization had announced the route without consulting Tehran and warned ships against using it.

The warning came after the U.S. military said it carried out strikes on multiple targets in Iran on Saturday in response to what it described as a fresh attack on a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities subsequently launched strikes against U.S. military bases in the Gulf.

The latest exchanges have placed additional pressure on a diplomatic process intended to preserve a ceasefire following the conflict that began on Feb. 28 between Iran, Israel and the United States.

Araghchi urged all parties to comply with the existing memorandum of understanding governing the truce and avoid actions that could undermine the agreement.

He also called for the creation of a regional security framework involving Iran, Iraq and the Gulf states without the participation of outside powers, arguing that regional countries should take primary responsibility for maintaining stability.

The Iranian foreign minister welcomed Iraq’s proposal to host a meeting involving Gulf states, Iran and Iraq to discuss regional security cooperation.

Iraq is expected to hold funeral processions on July 8 for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who Iranian authorities say was killed during U.S. and Israeli strikes on the opening day of the conflict.

In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the latest U.S. attacks on coastal surveillance installations breached the memorandum of understanding reached by both sides to halt hostilities.

“These brutal attacks, which targeted Iranian coastal surveillance facilities, are a blatant violation” of the peace agreement, the ministry said.

The U.S. military said its forces launched strikes on Friday against Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar sites, describing the operation as a response to an Iranian attack on a cargo vessel transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The exchange marks the latest escalation despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire framework established after weeks of conflict. The competing accounts underscore the continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran over the implementation of the agreement.

Neither side indicated that formal negotiations had been suspended, but the latest military actions have raised fresh uncertainty over the durability of the peace arrangement.

The issue emerged amid ongoing US-mediated talks in Washington aimed at reducing tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border following the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Discussions have centered on a proposed “pilot zone” under which Israeli forces would transfer control of certain occupied Lebanese territories to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

A US official claimed Israel had already withdrawn from part of its self-declared buffer zone in southern Lebanon, calling it a significant demonstration of good faith. The official urged the Lebanese army to move into the area and remove Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure, suggesting the model could eventually be expanded across southern Lebanon.

However, senior Israeli defense officials firmly rejected the claim, stating that there had been no withdrawal and that Israeli forces would remain in the buffer zone. Israel’s military also confirmed that troop positions had not changed.

Lebanese military officials likewise disputed reports of any pullback, saying developments on the ground indicated the opposite. They accused Israel of continuing to enforce strict control over the buffer zone, preventing both civilians and Lebanese military personnel from entering.

According to Lebanese officials, disagreements persist over how the pilot zone proposal should be implemented. Beirut wants the initiative to begin within the Israeli-controlled buffer zone and seeks a clear roadmap for a full Israeli withdrawal. Israel, meanwhile, prefers to negotiate individual areas separately and has not committed to a timetable.

Israel established the buffer zone following its conflict with Hezbollah, arguing that it is necessary to protect northern Israeli communities from future attacks. Lebanese authorities maintain that the continued Israeli military presence violates Lebanese sovereignty and delays the return of displaced residents.

The conflicting statements underscore the challenges facing ongoing diplomatic efforts despite signs of progress in US-sponsored negotiations between the two countries.

Municipal authorities say Israeli airstrikes conducted during the latest round of hostilities killed about 60 people in Tyre, destroyed 26 buildings and damaged roughly 1,000 homes, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee after evacuation warnings were issued earlier this month.

The attacks followed Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel on March 2 in support of Iran, drawing extensive Israeli military strikes across southern Lebanon as regional tensions escalated.

Although fighting has largely subsided following last week’s U.S.-Iran agreement and a subsequent reduction in hostilities along the Lebanese front, evidence of the conflict remains visible throughout Tyre, where damaged buildings, shattered storefronts and piles of rubble continue to dominate several neighborhoods.

Heavy equipment operators have been working around the clock to clear roads and remove debris. Residents searching through collapsed buildings for personal belongings have often found little remaining of their homes.

Authorities estimate that more than two-thirds of those displaced from the city have returned since the ceasefire took hold, beginning efforts to restore normal life despite continuing security concerns.

Business owners are among those leading the recovery. Hussein Hassan, a barber who returned after fleeing with his family during the conflict, reopened his shop despite structural damage that left walls cracked and windows destroyed.

Across the city, merchants and homeowners are undertaking repairs while assessing losses caused by the bombardment. Ali Samhat, who operates a neighborhood mini-market damaged in an airstrike, said reconstruction efforts had begun immediately after residents returned.

The destruction has also affected members of Lebanon’s diaspora. Abbas Ashour, who lives and works in Britain, returned to search the remains of the apartment he had purchased and furnished for his family before it was destroyed during the fighting.

Despite the damage, local officials are attempting to revive economic activity ahead of the summer tourism season. Deputy Mayor Alwan Charafeddine said plans are moving forward to reopen beachfront businesses and establish new cafes and kiosks along the city’s coastline.

Tyre, known for its beaches and historical significance, remains one of southern Lebanon’s most important tourist destinations. Residents have gradually returned to public spaces, including the city’s waterfront, where families and visitors have resumed recreational activities following weeks of displacement.

Many residents, however, remain cautious about the future. Israeli forces continue to maintain positions in parts of southern Lebanon, and both sides have exchanged accusations and threats since the ceasefire came into effect.

For now, the city’s recovery reflects a determination among residents to rebuild livelihoods disrupted by conflict while hoping the current period of relative calm develops into a more lasting stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.

The incident occurred near Nabatieh Al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon, where Lebanese state news agency NNA reported that Israeli soldiers opened fire on a group of people gathered near a bulldozer clearing a road in the Al-Deir neighborhood.

The Israeli military said its forces had struck “armed terrorists who posed an immediate threat” to troops operating in the Ali Al-Taher ridge area, within a zone in southern Lebanon that Israel has designated as a security area. The military did not immediately confirm whether its statement referred to the same incident reported by Lebanese authorities.

The deaths came as a U.S.-Iran-backed ceasefire arrangement aimed at halting hostilities in Lebanon faced its first major test. The truce, which has largely held since Sunday, followed diplomatic efforts linked to broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran seeking to stabilize multiple regional flashpoints.

Hezbollah condemned the shooting, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire.

“The Islamic Resistance warns that what the enemy has committed constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire, which the Resistance has adhered to up to this point,” the group said in a statement.

The latest tensions emerged as technical discussions continued following U.S.-Iran talks held in Switzerland on Monday. A joint statement issued after those negotiations announced plans to establish a “de-confliction cell” designed to oversee adherence to the cessation of military operations in Lebanon and reduce the risk of renewed fighting.

Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that developments in Lebanon are an integral component of the broader diplomatic framework currently under discussion.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said any breach of commitments related to Lebanon could complicate ongoing peace negotiations.

“Lebanon is an unquestionable part of the agreement, and whatever happens in Lebanon affects the whole process,” Bahreini told reporters, adding that the United States should use its influence to prevent further attacks.

Israeli forces remain deployed in parts of southern Lebanon following military operations launched against Hezbollah during the latest escalation. The most recent round of fighting began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel in support of Iran during the wider conflict involving Tehran, Washington and Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israeli forces would retain operational freedom to respond to any direct or emerging threats posed by Hezbollah and would remain in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to safeguard Israeli security.

The incident underscores the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to transform a temporary cessation of hostilities into a durable security arrangement, particularly as Israeli forces remain on Lebanese territory and Hezbollah continues to insist on an Israeli withdrawal as a condition for ending military operations permanently.

Lebanese authorities say the conflict has displaced approximately 1.2 million people and caused extensive destruction across southern regions of the country. Israel has reported military and civilian casualties from Hezbollah attacks during the same period.

Lebanese and Israeli officials are expected to continue discussions through international mediation channels as efforts proceed to prevent the ceasefire from unraveling.

The surfers, among the few remaining practitioners of the sport in the Gaza Strip, gather on Gaza City’s coastline where the sounds of crashing waves contrast sharply with the devastation left by years of conflict.

“This sport is indescribable. When you catch a wave, ride it, glide along it, that feeling can’t be put into words,” said 23-year-old Taheen Abu Assi, who learned surfing from his father and grandfather.

Abu Assi said the conflict had not diminished his commitment to the sport, describing surfing as a rare source of relief amid uncertainty.

“We learned little by little, and even with the war, the shelling, and the destruction, we’re still continuing with this sport, because it lets us breathe and makes us feel safe,” he said.

Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October after two years of war, violence continues to affect daily life in the coastal enclave. Both sides have accused each other of repeated violations of the truce.

The dangers extend beyond land. In recent months, local medical officials and security sources have reported incidents involving fishermen injured by Israeli fire near Gaza’s coastline.

“The situation is still unstable,” Abu Assi said. “At any moment, shells or explosives could land near you.”

Despite the risks, the surfers paddle into the Mediterranean, temporarily escaping the pressures of life in a territory where large areas have been devastated by conflict and hundreds of thousands remain displaced.

The sport faces additional challenges due to shortages of specialized equipment caused by wartime disruptions and continuing restrictions on imports.

“One of the biggest challenges and difficulties we face as surfers in the Gaza Strip is the lack of tools and equipment specific to this sport,” said 19-year-old Abdel Rahim Al-Ustadh.

According to Al-Ustadh, surf wax is unavailable in Gaza, forcing surfers to improvise with candle wax to maintain grip on their boards.

Many rely on aging equipment that has survived years of use. Holding a worn surfboard estimated to be nearly 20 years old, Al-Ustadh said preserving existing boards was critical because replacing them was virtually impossible.

“As surfers, we treat these boards like great treasures to us, because losing any board or having it confiscated threatens our ability to continue in this sport,” he said.

The conflict has dramatically reduced Gaza’s surfing community. Khalil Abu Jiyab, 18, said a team of 17 surfers existed before the war, but only three remain active today due to equipment shortages and the loss of boards.

“I’ve been surfing for 13 years now, and my hopes have almost been shattered,” Abu Jiyab said, while expressing a desire to one day compete outside Gaza.

For many of Gaza’s remaining surfers, the sea continues to offer a rare sense of freedom in an environment shaped by conflict and uncertainty.

“There’s nothing in Gaza you can really look forward to except the sea,” Abu Jiyab said. “The only outlet in Gaza is the sea; without it, life would have vanished long ago.”

The latest ceasefire, which took effect amid broader diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran, has brought a relative lull to the southern Lebanese city. However, many residents remain reluctant to return to normal routines, citing fears that fighting could resume as previous truce agreements have repeatedly collapsed.

The conflict, which intensified in March after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel during a wider regional confrontation involving Iran, has killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. Israeli military operations have also pushed deep into southern Lebanon, leaving extensive destruction across the region.

Tyre, one of Lebanon’s oldest cities and a major summer tourism destination, has been among the areas heavily affected. Businesses that normally depend on seasonal visitors report little activity, while public spaces and parking areas have been occupied by displaced families who fled nearby towns and villages.

Residents say uncertainty continues to dominate daily life despite the reduction in visible fighting. Many displaced people have delayed returning to their homes, particularly in communities that suffered extensive damage during the conflict.

The city’s cultural heritage has also sustained damage. Several structures near Tyre’s renowned archaeological complex were struck during the air campaign, affecting areas adjacent to Roman-era monuments and historical sites that form part of a UNESCO-recognized heritage zone. Lebanese antiquities officials said assessments are expected to determine the extent of the damage and the scope of restoration work required.

Environmental concerns have also emerged along the southern coastline. Areas near the Mansouri coastal reserve, known for its sea turtle habitats and biodiversity, have become inaccessible following military activity and bombardment.

Healthcare facilities in Tyre have likewise faced disruptions. Medical workers at one of the city’s largest hospitals said nearby airstrikes damaged parts of the facility, shattered windows and doors, and raised concerns about the safety of medical personnel operating in active conflict zones.

Doctors and nurses who have worked through previous wars in southern Lebanon said the proximity of recent strikes to hospitals marked a significant escalation in the risks faced by healthcare workers.

The ceasefire has eased immediate security concerns, but signs of continuing military tension remain visible across southern Lebanon. Israeli forces continue to maintain positions in areas near the border, while periodic military activity has been reported south of Tyre.

Diplomatic discussions between Lebanon and Israel are continuing with international mediation, though Hezbollah has rejected calls for disarmament and remains outside the formal negotiation process.

For many residents, the destruction left behind by months of fighting has underscored the uncertainty surrounding the region’s future, even as diplomatic efforts seek to prevent a return to large-scale conflict.

Mediators Qatar and Pakistan said discussions were conducted in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and produced initial agreements designed to lower the risk of military incidents in Lebanon and the Gulf.

The two countries announced the creation of a technical framework for continued negotiations, including a direct contact mechanism intended to prevent misunderstandings and incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade routes.

They also confirmed the establishment of a “de-confliction cell” involving the relevant parties and Lebanese authorities, aimed at preventing a resumption of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

The talks mark the first formal meeting between American and Iranian officials since the signing of a memorandum of understanding intended to end months of regional conflict. The agreement included provisions calling for an end to fighting in Lebanon, where Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been engaged in a prolonged confrontation that intensified following the broader Iran-Israel conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the outcome, describing the negotiations as a significant step toward stabilizing Lebanon and reducing regional tensions.

In a statement posted on social media, Araghchi said progress had also been made on economic issues, including the easing of restrictions on Iranian oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and plans for reconstruction and development initiatives.

The negotiations faced early uncertainty after Iran’s delegation briefly suspended participation following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening renewed military action against Tehran over its support for Hezbollah. Talks later resumed and concluded with the announcement of the new coordination mechanisms.

Separately, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a joint call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, senior presidential adviser Jared Kushner and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. According to the Lebanese presidency, the leaders discussed measures to reinforce the ceasefire in Lebanon, halt further Israeli military escalation and advance the proposed de-confliction framework.

Israel also signaled conditional support for maintaining the ceasefire. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel would respect the truce provided Hezbollah did not violate its terms.

Speaking in a call with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Saar said Israel had no territorial ambitions in Lebanon but would maintain its security zone to prevent future attacks by Hezbollah.

He added that dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure would serve the interests of both Israel and Lebanon, while accusing Iran of exercising influence over Lebanon through the armed group.

The latest diplomatic efforts come as international mediators seek to transform a fragile cessation of hostilities into a more durable arrangement, with Lebanon emerging as a key test of broader efforts to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The talks, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, marked the opening phase of a 60-day diplomatic process designed to translate a recently signed memorandum of understanding into a broader settlement covering regional security, maritime navigation and Iran’s nuclear program.

Mediators said the parties agreed to establish a “de-confliction cell” involving Lebanese authorities to monitor and support the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. The mechanism is intended to reduce the risk of renewed military escalation in Lebanon, where hostilities have continued despite previous truce efforts.

Pakistan and Qatar described the discussions as constructive and confirmed that lower-level technical negotiations would continue throughout the week in Switzerland.

The negotiations faced an uncertain start after Trump publicly warned Iran against supporting Hezbollah operations in Lebanon and threatened renewed military action against Tehran.

“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble,” Trump said in comments that prompted a sharp response from Iranian officials.

Iranian negotiators temporarily suspended participation and consulted with Qatari mediators before returning to the talks, according to officials familiar with the discussions. Mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan helped keep negotiations on track.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later praised the diplomatic efforts, describing the newly established Lebanon coordination mechanism as the first major test of the broader agreement.

The talks brought together U.S. Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Araghchi.

According to officials involved in the negotiations, discussions focused on maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, enforcing the Lebanon ceasefire and laying groundwork for future negotiations on Iran’s nuclear activities.

The status of the Strait of Hormuz remained a contentious issue. Iran maintained that it had reimposed restrictions on passage through the strategic waterway over the weekend, while U.S. officials insisted commercial shipping traffic continued.

The narrow channel carries a significant share of global oil exports, making its security a major concern for energy markets and governments worldwide.

The broader agreement between Washington and Tehran includes provisions allowing Iran greater access to oil export markets and frozen overseas assets in exchange for commitments related to regional security and nuclear oversight.

However, differences remain over uranium enrichment. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran would not relinquish what it considers its right to enrich uranium, while U.S. officials continue to seek constraints on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Vance described the negotiations as an opportunity to reshape regional relations and expressed hope that both sides could build on the initial diplomatic progress.

Financial markets have closely monitored the talks. Oil prices fell sharply after the announcement of the initial U.S.-Iran understanding, reflecting expectations that a sustained reduction in regional tensions could ease concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies.

The continuation of technical negotiations this week is expected to determine whether the parties can bridge remaining differences on Lebanon, maritime security and Iran’s nuclear program before senior officials reconvene for the next phase of talks.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military had standing orders to act against any threats encountered in Lebanon and reiterated that Israeli forces would not withdraw from the security zone extending roughly 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.

“There has never been, and there is currently no restriction on IDF soldiers in Lebanon from acting to eliminate threats,” Katz said in a statement, adding that both he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had made clear that Israel would maintain its presence in the area.

The comments underscored continuing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon frontier despite diplomatic efforts involving Washington and Tehran to halt hostilities across multiple fronts in the region.

Iran, which backs Hezbollah, said later on Sunday that implementation of provisions related to ending the conflict in Lebanon was a prerequisite for advancing negotiations with the United States on a final agreement following a deal reached earlier this week.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran could not move into the next phase of negotiations unless commitments regarding a cessation of hostilities were fulfilled. In a post on X, he said the termination of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, remained essential to further diplomatic progress.

Baghaei also said the situation in Lebanon would dominate discussions with U.S. officials in Switzerland, alongside issues including frozen Iranian assets and Iranian oil exports.

“The Zionist regime continues to violate its commitment in Lebanon, and this issue will be the main topic of discussion in today’s talks,” Baghaei said in remarks carried by the IRNA state news agency.

Tehran announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement with Washington aimed at ending months of hostilities that began on Feb. 28 following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. Under the arrangement, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was also expected to cease.

Iran’s military said on Saturday it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to what it described as ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon, adding another layer of uncertainty to regional security and energy markets.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, there were no reports of new strikes in Lebanon after Saturday evening. Baghaei said a “fragile cessation” of hostilities had been in place since Saturday.

The latest exchanges highlight the central role of the Lebanon conflict in wider regional diplomacy, as efforts continue to stabilize tensions following months of military confrontation involving Israel, Hezbollah, Iran and the United States.