Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz after Lebanon strikes

Iran closes – Iran announced it is closing the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic, warning ships to stay clear, pointing to Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. The U.S. says commercial traffic increased and that American forces are continuing operations in the area to supp

For the second consecutive weekend, the Strait of Hormuz has become the flashpoint in a widening Middle East conflict.

Iran said Saturday it is closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli strikes against Lebanon. state and semiofficial media reported. Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the move follows what it called the United States’ “clear breach” of commitments under the first article of a memorandum of understanding on ending the war. The statement also cited what it described as “continuous and relentless violations of the ceasefire” in southern Lebanon by Israel. along with the failure of Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

The statement blamed what it described as “the brutal killing and displacement of hundreds of thousands of innocent people” in southern Lebanon and said that, “it is announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy then warned vessels to avoid the area. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported the navy said ships must “stay clear,” adding: “Do not approach the Strait, otherwise, your security will be at risk.”

The U.S. disputed the immediate impact of that warning. U.S. Central Command said Saturday morning that commercial ship traffic increased in the Strait of Hormuz and that U.S. forces are continuing operations in the general area “to support freedom of navigation.” In CENTCOM’s statement. there was no mention of Iran’s closure announcement.

The announcement lands amid fragile ceasefire attempts.

The U.S. and Iran formally signed a memorandum of understanding late Wednesday that included a 60-day ceasefire in the war that started in February. and that lays groundwork for long-term peace. One part of that agreement included opening the Strait of Hormuz—through which 20% of the global oil supply passes.

The reported Lebanon ceasefire adds another layer of strain. Israel and Hezbollah reportedly agreed to a ceasefire on Friday. Hours later, Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people, The Associated Press reported. An AP account said a strike in Barish killed two parents and two children. It also reported that a body was rescued from a destroyed house in Arab Salim. and that drone strikes killed one person on a motorcycle and a Lebanese soldier.

More deaths were reported in other strikes. The AP said nine more people were killed during strikes on Qannarit, Sohmor and Shehour villages. Lebanon’s National News Agency said seven people were trapped under rubble after strikes in Nabatiyeh and nearby villages.

Israel’s military said Hezbollah launched at least 50 projectiles toward its soldiers in southern Lebanon. In response, Israel said it struck dozens of Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the area throughout the night.

Hezbollah said it adhered to the ceasefire since Friday evening and accused Israel of making false claims to justify its attacks. Lebanon’s health ministry says more than 4,000 people have been killed in Lebanon since the war with Israel began in early March.

The sequence of announcements—an Iranian declaration of closure, a U.S. insistence on continued freedom-of-navigation operations, and simultaneous claims of ceasefire compliance—puts the stakes in stark relief for shipping and for any fragile diplomatic track meant to slow the conflict.

Iran Strait of Hormuz U.S. Central Command CENTCOM freedom of navigation Israel Lebanon Hezbollah ceasefire memorandum of understanding global oil supply