Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Citing Israel’s Lebanon Strikes
10 verified3 unconfirmed2 contested
Iran announced Saturday that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic, citing continued Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon as a violation of the interim agreement with the United States. The move, described as a “first step” by Iran’s joint military command, comes one day after a fresh ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced by the U.S. Israel and Hezbollah have traded blame for breaching that ceasefire, with Israel stating Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles and Hezbollah accusing Israel of false claims. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon resulted in multiple civilian casualties Saturday, according to Lebanese authorities. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance departed for Switzerland to join technical-level negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, brokered by Pakistan and Qatar, aimed at implementing the framework deal. President Donald Trump threatened to impose U.S. tolls in the waterway if a final agreement is not reached within 60 days. U.S. Central Command said it remains “present and vigilant” and that 55 merchant ships transited the strait Saturday.
What’s verified
Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon as a breach of the interim agreement with the U.S.
Iran’s military command called the closure the “first step” in response to what it described as breaches by the U.S. and Israel.
U.S. Central Command stated it remains “present and vigilant” in the waterway and said 55 merchant ships transited the strait on Saturday.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people, including two children, according to Lebanese civil defense and media.
Israel and Hezbollah each accused the other of violating the renewed ceasefire agreement.
Technical-level talks between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, are scheduled for Sunday in Switzerland.
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Switzerland to join those negotiations.
Iran’s negotiating team is also heading to Switzerland for the talks, according to state media.
Trump threatened to impose U.S. tolls in the Strait of Hormuz if a final deal is not reached within 60 days.
The interim agreement specifies toll-free travel through the strait for 60 days and an end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Where accounts differ
One source reports that Israel’s military received orders from political leadership to halt fighting in southern Lebanon and is operating defensively. Another source does not mention such orders and quotes an IDF spokesperson saying forces will continue to operate.
Death toll figures for Saturday’s strikes differ: one source reports at least 16 killed, including two children, based on Lebanese civil defense and media. Another source cites civil defense reporting 16 killed in the Nabatieh district and separately quotes Lebanon’s NNA agency reporting seven killed, including one soldier and two children.
Not yet confirmed
The exact number of casualties in Lebanon from Saturday’s strikes varies across reports from different authorities.
It is unclear whether Israeli forces have received orders to halt fighting, as accounts differ between sources.
None of the sources specify how long the Strait of Hormuz closure will remain in effect or whether any ships are currently trapped.
Key figures
President Donald Trump (United States)
Vice President JD Vance (United States)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel)
Esmail Baghaei (Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson)
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (Iranian Parliament Speaker)
Abbas Araghchi (Iranian Foreign Minister)
Steve Witkoff (U.S. special envoy)
Jared Kushner (U.S. envoy)
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin (IDF Spokesperson)
Oren Marmorstein (Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
