Iran claims Strait of Hormuz closed after Israeli strikes in Lebanon

Iran announced it has again closed the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli strikes in Lebanon as the reason, according to reports from Reuters and AFP. This action comes despite a ceasefire agreement reportedly reached between Israel and Hezbollah on Friday.

Multiple individuals were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, even after the supposed truce took effect. Lebanese authorities reported at least 16 deaths from the strikes. The Israeli military stated that Hezbollah initiated attacks on Israeli forces, prompting retaliatory strikes on what the military described as Hezbollah targets. Israel's army asserted that Hezbollah violated the ceasefire but affirmed its commitment to it while vowing decisive responses to any attacks on Israeli civilians or forces.

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Hezbollah has violated the ceasefire agreement with its attacks. The army is committed to the ceasefire, but will respond decisively to all attacks targeting Israeli civilians or forces.

Hezbollah also reportedly committed to the ceasefire but indicated it would respond to any Israeli attempts to "occupy territory or expand its occupation." The ceasefire, brokered with the help of U.S. sources, was said to have begun Friday afternoon. Sources within Hezbollah and the Israeli administration confirmed the agreement, with reports suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump had asked Israel to agree to the truce.

Meanwhile, further negotiations between the United States and Iran, aimed at ending the conflict, were postponed. The two nations had previously agreed in principle to a roadmap for ending the war, which included a cessation of all hostilities by their allies, including in Lebanon. However, Iran demanded guarantees that military operations in Lebanon would cease before resuming talks, according to a CNN diplomatic source.

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Hezbollah is committed to the ceasefire, but will respond to any Israeli attempts to 'occupy territory or expand its occupation.'