Portugal condemns Israel’s intensifying attacks on Lebanon – Portugal Resident
… hours before Iran pulls out of peace talks
Portugal’s government condemned the intensification of Israeli attacks on Lebanon today, hours before Iran cited the attacks as its reason for pulling out of peace talks with the United States, threatening to reinstate the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and “activate other fronts, including the Bab El-Mandeb strait’.
A note published on social network ‘X’ by the ministry of foreign affairs, read just before 1pm today: “Portugal reiterates its condemnation of the escalation of Israeli operations in Lebanon. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs,@PauloRangel_pt, stated in Beirut, it is essential to put an end to the attacks and ensure respect for the ceasefire. The Portuguese Government has consistently condemned all Hezbollah activity and commends the courage of the current Lebanese Government in confronting it and bringing it to an end. It also encourages that the ongoing negotiations continue and lead to full respect for the ceasefire. Portugal supports the Lebanese Armed Forces and highlights the importance of the @UNIFIL_ mission, whose security must be fully ensured.”
Whether this was an exercise in trying to play both ends off against the middle, we may never know – because now there are new consequences to deal with by dint of the peace talks having ‘collapsed’, and Iran’s additional threats to global shipping.
What looks fairly certain is that Israel will pay no heed to entreaties from countries like Portugal. Either the United States will order Israel to pull back, or, as Israel’s defence minister has said, Israel will keep going as it is, exercising its very particular agenda and apparent land-grab.
Interesting at this point are theories that neither the Iranians, nor the Americans, are that keen to announce a deal. “Both sides would face domestic catastrophe if they acknowledged making concessions, and no deal is possible without giving concessions in wars”, writes Akhtar Makoii, foreign reports for the UK Telegraph, suggesting there will be a great deal more in negotiations to come, that may appear to produce agreements, “while producing nothing tangible”.
None of these events will happen swiftly, as for now, peace talks are ‘off’ – and if they are to resume, the bottom line, from Iran (seemingly ‘backed by Portugal’, and the wider EU) is that the ceasefire between Iran and the United States has to be a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Sources: ‘X’, Rádio Renascença, Telegraph
