Iran Closes Strait Of Hormuz Again, Cites US Military Presence, Israel-Lebanon Conflict

Iran has announced the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing the continued presence of United States forces in the Persian Gulf and Israel’s military operations in southern Lebanon as reasons for the decision.

The announcement was made on Friday by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through a statement broadcast on maritime radio frequencies, warning commercial vessels to avoid the strategic waterway.

According to the IRGC, Washington has violated the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this week between US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The agreement was intended to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and pave the way for broader negotiations.

The Iranian military said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until key conditions of the agreement are met, including Israel’s complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of US military forces from the Persian Gulf and the wider region.

It warned that ships attempting to pass through the waterway despite the directive could face military action.

In a separate statement, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency said the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon had effectively undermined the agreement, insisting that negotiations should be suspended until hostilities cease.

The latest development comes as Switzerland confirmed that follow-up talks aimed at implementing the agreement have been postponed.

The accord, signed earlier this week, was expected to end the conflict involving Iran, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, establish a 60-day negotiation period on wider issues including Tehran’s nuclear programme, and halt fighting in Lebanon. It also included a proposed $300 billion US-backed reconstruction package for Iran.

However, hopes for swift implementation suffered a setback after Israel announced fresh strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Friday.

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Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, dismissed suggestions that Washington was negotiating from a position of weakness.

He argued that the conflict had significantly weakened Iran and insisted the United States would not provide any direct financial assistance to Tehran during the negotiation period.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, with a significant share of global oil exports passing through the narrow waterway.

Its closure has renewed concerns over regional stability and potential disruptions to global energy supplies.