Tehran: Iran’s top joint military command, the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic, according to the Iranian news agency Mehr. The move was justified as a response to alleged violations of a ceasefire memorandum by the United States and Israel, including continued strikes in southern Lebanon, described by Tehran as a “clear breach of trust.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later said the strait had been closed to all vessels and warned ships to avoid the area, saying their safety could be at risk.
However, US Vice President JD Vance said on Fox News that Washington had seen no evidence of any blockade and insisted the waterway remained open.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy corridor, carrying a large share of the world’s oil and gas, making any disruption a major concern for international markets.
The announcement comes amid broader diplomatic activity. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after intense fighting.
US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Switzerland for nuclear talks with Iran, according to Axios citing a US official, while Vance previously withdrew from negotiations due to escalating violence.
Iranian state television reported that Iran’s delegation will attend talks in Switzerland, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagaei saying any agreement would be tested only in its implementation phase.
The US military separately denied that Iran had closed the strait and said maritime traffic would continue uninterrupted.
