Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Citing US Breach of MoU
Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic in retaliation for alleged US breaches of a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding and continued Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon amid escalating Iran tensions. Iran's top joint military command, via Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, ordered the closure citing a US "clear breach of faith" through non-implementation of Clause 1 of the MoU on ending the war. [2] The move is also in response to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah, which Iran views as violating a US-brokered ceasefire in southern Lebanon. [1] The Strait of Hormuz had been blockaded by Iran for much of the war but was agreed to be reopened under the preliminary US-Iran deal, with shipping traffic recently increasing. [3] Follow-up talks on the US-Iran deal planned for Switzerland on Friday were indefinitely postponed after Israeli strikes in Lebanon. [3] A new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced by the US on Friday, but fighting resumed on Saturday with Israeli strikes and Hezbollah projectile launches reported. [3]
Iran Orders Closure of Strait of Hormuz
Iran's top joint military command has ordered that the Strait of Hormuz be closed in retaliation for what it claims is a "blatant breach" of the recently signed US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, according to Iranian semi-official state-sponsored media outlet Mehr on Saturday. [1] Iran's military added that the closure is also in response to continued Israeli operations against Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. [1] According to Mehr, Iran's military declared the closure of the strait as the "first step" in its response and stated that if the US and Israel continue to act in a manner it deems as breaching the agreement, "further steps will be planned and taken to force the enemy to fulfill its obligations." [1] Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement posted Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to vessel traffic, accusing the U.S. of violating the recently negotiated MOU intended to end the U.S.-Iran war and restore maritime access. [5] Decision came following US "clear breach of faith and violation of its commitments" through non-implementation of Clause 1 of MoU on ending war, says Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters. [2]
US and Israeli Actions Cited as Violations
Iran said it was once again closing the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane on Saturday over Israel's attacks in Lebanon, calling them a violation of its deal with the United States to end the Middle East war. [3] Citing a US "breach of contract" and "the Zionist regime's continuous and relentless violation of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon", Iran's central military command announced Saturday "that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic". [3] Iran's military declared the closure of the strait as the "first step" in its response and stated that if the US and Israel continue to act in a manner it deems as breaching the agreement, "further steps will be planned and taken to force the enemy to fulfill its obligations." [1] The ongoing hostilities had already strained the deal signed by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian this week to halt the wider regional war on all fronts, including Lebanon - a key demand of Tehran's. [3]
Background on the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding
The ongoing hostilities had already strained the deal signed by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian this week to halt the wider regional war on all fronts, including Lebanon - a key demand of Tehran's. [3] The strait, an important conduit for oil and gas shipments, was blockaded by Iran for much of the war, sending shockwaves through global energy markets. [3] Iran had agreed to reopen it under the preliminary agreement with the US, and shipping traffic was starting to pick back up in recent days. [3] Iran's top joint military command has ordered that the Strait of Hormuz be closed in retaliation for what it claims is a "blatant breach" of the recently signed US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, according to Iranian semi-official state-sponsored media outlet Mehr on Saturday. [1]
Ongoing Conflict in Southern Lebanon
Israeli troops battled Hezbollah fighters while its warplanes conducted deadly strikes in Lebanon's south on Saturday, hours after the United States announced a renewed ceasefire in the fighting there. [3] Follow-up talks on the US-Iran deal had been planned in Switzerland on Friday, but were indefinitely postponed as Israel launched a wave of deadly strikes in Lebanon after four of its soldiers were killed in combat. [3] On Friday afternoon, a US official announced a new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brokered by US and Qatari mediators, with Israel's ambassador to Washington saying it would respect the truce if Hezbollah did. [3] But on Saturday, an Israeli military official said it was conducting fresh attacks against the Iran-backed movement, which it accused of having "launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon" overnight. [3] Hezbollah said Israel had carried out "under the cover of the ceasefire ... an infiltration attempt towards the Ali Taher hills", a strategic feature overlooking the city of Nabatieh, adding its fighters "confronted them with appropriate weapons". [3] Lebanese state media reported Israeli air raids on around 20 locations, with the country's civil defence agency saying 16 people were killed in the Nabatieh area, where an AFP photographer saw smoke rising over the city after strikes. [3] Lebanon's health ministry reported seven more people killed and 13 wounded in a strike on a village near the city of Sidon. [3] Another AFP journalist on the Israeli side of the border saw smoke billowing behind the historic Beaufort Castle, a strategic position not far from Nabatieh that Israel captured last month. [3]
Impact on Global Energy and Shipping
The strait, an important conduit for oil and gas shipments, was blockaded by Iran for much of the war, sending shockwaves through global energy markets. [3] Iran had agreed to reopen it under the preliminary agreement with the US, and shipping traffic was starting to pick back up in recent days. [3] Iran's central military command announced Saturday "that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic". [3]
Prospects for Further Talks
Follow-up talks on the US-Iran deal had been planned in Switzerland on Friday, but were indefinitely postponed as Israel launched a wave of deadly strikes in Lebanon after four of its soldiers were killed in combat. [3] US says Iran talks could take place as early as Sunday. [4] Vice President JD Vance expresses confidence in maintaining ceasefire as envoys handle technical elements of negotiations. [4]
What to watch next: US says Iran talks could take place as early as Sunday, with Vice President JD Vance expressing confidence in maintaining ceasefire as envoys handle technical elements of negotiations. [4]
