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Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Again, Cites Israeli Attacks and US 'Bad Faith'
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Again, Cites Israeli Attacks and US 'Bad Faith'

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Iran has reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz again, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and US "bad faith."
  • The country's negotiating team is heading to Switzerland for talks with the US, but Iran signals little progress is expected without US commitment.
  • The move follows escalating Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, which killed at least 16 people, and retaliatory Hezbollah fire, threatening a fragile interim agreement.

Iran announced on Saturday it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The decision, communicated via state television, was attributed to ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and what Iran described as US "bad faith" and a failure to uphold commitments related to ending the conflict. The Iranian military command warned that further steps are planned if the "aggression continues."

if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned.

— Iran's joint military commandWarning of further actions if Israeli attacks persist.

This action comes as Iran's negotiating team prepares to travel to Switzerland for talks with the United States. However, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagahei indicated that the trip's purpose is to demand the US fulfill its obligations. He suggested that substantive negotiations toward a final agreement would only commence once key commitments, including a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, are met. Bagahei stressed that any failure to implement these understandings would jeopardize the entire memorandum of understanding.

This trip is therefore about demanding that the other side fulfill its obligations.

— Esmail BagaheiExplaining the purpose of Iran's negotiating team heading to Switzerland.

The renewed closure of the strait follows intense Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon that killed at least 16 people, including children, on Saturday. These strikes, which hit the towns of Nabatiyeh and nearby villages, occurred hours after reports of a ceasefire agreement. The persistent fighting has jeopardized an interim agreement between the US and Iran aimed at ending the Middle East war. Mediators are actively working to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which saw a heavy exchange on Friday resulting in significant casualties on both sides.

If any part of these understandings, any part of these commitments, is not implemented, then the memorandum of understanding as a whole will be jeopardized.

— Esmail BagaheiHighlighting the fragility of the interim agreement.

An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously, stated that Hezbollah had launched over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces overnight, prompting targeted strikes on militant positions and command centers in southern Lebanon. While Israel's ambassador to Washington had previously affirmed commitment to an immediate ceasefire, Hezbollah's military wing stated it would abide by the truce but would retaliate against any Israeli attacks. The situation remains tense, with plumes of smoke visible in the sky over Lebanon.

Israel remains firmly committed to an immediate ceasefire.

— Yechiel LeiterStating Israel's position on a ceasefire, as posted on X.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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