Iran announces it is closing the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic again, after Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon. Iran’s Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters says the closure is a “first step” in response to what it describes as a breach of commitments, adding that further actions could follow if the fighting continues. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later confirms the move and warns ships not to approach the strait, saying their security could be compromised. Iran attributes the decision to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and also cites US violations of a ceasefire arrangement.
The closure follows a period when Hormuz had been effectively closed for nearly four months during fighting that began at the end of February, and had been briefly reopened earlier in the week after US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a preliminary agreement aimed at halting hostilities on multiple fronts, including Lebanon. The announcement comes amid renewed Israeli attacks on Lebanese areas, including reports of civilian deaths and casualties. Separately, US- and Iran-linked efforts to implement a memorandum of understanding continue, with follow-up talks described as planned in Switzerland to discuss implementation details.
