TEHRAN — Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, following deadly Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon that Tehran says violated commitments made under an agreement with the United States.
In a statement broadcast by Iranian state television, the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters declared that vessel traffic through the strategic waterway would be halted.
“It is hereby announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic,” the statement said, adding that the move represents an initial response to what Iran described as the enemy’s breach of promises. Iranian officials warned that further measures could be taken if attacks continue.
The announcement came amid growing tensions after a series of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon that reportedly killed at least 16 people in the Nabatieh district, according to Lebanese media reports.
Iranian officials have linked the closure directly to developments in Lebanon, arguing that Israel’s actions undermine understandings reached between Tehran and Washington. Officials in Tehran have increasingly called on the United States to pressure Israel into complying with what Iran describes as the first article of the memorandum of understanding between the two sides.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy later reinforced the warning, stating that vessels should not approach the Strait of Hormuz and cautioning that their security could be at risk.
In a separate statement, the IRGC Navy said the closure was a response to Israeli military actions in Lebanon and what it described as Washington’s failure to uphold ceasefire commitments. The force warned commercial and military vessels against attempting to enter the area until further notice.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to international waters and is used by a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas exports. Any disruption to traffic through the strait has the potential to affect global energy markets and international trade.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah accused Israel of attempting to sabotage the agreement between Iran and the United States through its escalating military campaign in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese group rejected Israeli claims that it had violated the ceasefire, describing such accusations as “completely baseless” and part of an effort to justify continued attacks.
Hezbollah stated that Israel had committed more than 300 violations of the ceasefire since Friday, including air strikes, artillery bombardments, the use of phosphorus munitions and cluster bombs. The group called on the international community, particularly the United States, to pressure Israel to halt its military operations and implement existing agreements.
The developments mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, with Iran now openly linking progress in its negotiations with the United States to the situation in Lebanon and warning that additional steps could follow if the conflict continues.
