Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over Israel's Lebanon attacks

Iran announced on Saturday, June 20, that it is closing the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. The central military command cited Israel's ongoing attacks in Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire deal with the United States, calling it a "breach of contract."

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that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic

The decision comes after a renewed ceasefire in Lebanon, brokered by US and Qatari mediators, was announced Friday. Israel had agreed to respect the truce if Hezbollah did. However, an Israeli military official stated Saturday that fresh attacks were being conducted against the Iran-backed movement, accusing it of launching over 50 projectiles into southern Lebanon overnight.

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the Zionist regime's continuous and relentless violation of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah claimed Israeli forces attempted an infiltration, which its fighters confronted. Lebanese state media reported Israeli air raids on around 20 locations, with the civil defense agency stating 16 people died in the Nabatieh area. The health ministry reported seven more fatalities and 13 wounded in a strike near Sidon.

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breach of contract

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments. Iran had previously blockaded the strait for much of the war, causing significant disruption to energy markets. The reopening of the strait was part of the preliminary agreement with the US, and shipping traffic had begun to resume. Follow-up talks on the US-Iran deal, initially planned for Switzerland, were indefinitely postponed amid the escalating conflict.

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launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon