Iran Recloses Strait of Hormuz, Citing Israeli Strikes on Lebanon
Iran's IRGC Navy announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz again in response to continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon. US President Trump threatened to impose US tolls if no final deal is reached in 60 days, while ships continued to transit the strait. US-Iran talks are expected in Switzerland.
Maritime traffic monitoring websites showed ships still passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, despite Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announcing it had closed the crucial waterway again, citing ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump quickly responded by threatening to impose US tolls on the strait if a final agreement with Iran is not reached within 60 days, stating the money would be for "services rendered as the guardian angel to the countries of the Middle East." He also mentioned that the framework agreement signed on Wednesday provides for toll-free passage for 60 days.
According to Iran's Fars news agency, the IRGC Navy said the decision was made "in view of the flagrant bad faith and breach of covenant by America regarding the failure to implement the first clause of the end-of-war agreement." However, the Marine Traffic website showed cargo vessels continuing to traverse the strait unhindered.
The announcements marked a rough start to technical-level US-Iran talks. Key mediator Pakistan said the talks would begin on Sunday, with Qatari mediators also participating. US media reported that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Switzerland, with US Vice President JD Vance stating he expected to join negotiations with Iranian counterparts "in the next couple of days."
Iran's foreign ministry confirmed to state-run news agency Fars that a delegation had left Tehran for Switzerland. According to Fars, the delegation is headed by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi along with officials from national security, the central bank, and the oil industry. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said negotiations toward a final agreement will begin once key commitments are upheld; otherwise, "the memorandum of understanding as a whole will be jeopardised."
Washington disputed Tehran's announcement. "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic continues to flow, and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case," said Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command. The US military reported that 55 merchant ships transited on Saturday, carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil.
Meanwhile, fighting in Lebanon persists. Israel carried out a fresh wave of strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday after Friday's announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. The strikes killed at least 16 people, including two children, with seven people trapped under rubble in Nabatiyeh and nearby villages. The IDF said the strikes were in response to more than 50 Hezbollah launches overnight, targeting rocket launch positions, weapons storage facilities, and command centers. The IDF later reported that four Israeli soldiers were killed on Friday and one more on Saturday.
A Hezbollah official told AP that Iran informed the group that Tehran will not reopen the strait until Israel publicly announces a "comprehensive ceasefire" in Lebanon and an end to military operations. The official said Hezbollah would commit to a ceasefire if Israel does. An Israeli military official later said the military had received "updated directives from the political echelon to cease fire" while maintaining the right to respond to Hezbollah attacks.
