Iran's top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, has announced the closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic, citing what it described as violations of a ceasefire memorandum by the United States and Israel, according to Iranian news agency Mehr. In a statement, the military command said the closure was being implemented in response to what it called a "clear breach of trust" by the United States and Israel's continued alleged violations of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon.
The Mehr report surfaced even as US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that he remained confident the ceasefire outlined in Washington's 14-point agreement with Tehran would hold, adding that the United States had seen no evidence suggesting the Strait of Hormuz had been closed to maritime traffic.
Iran described the move as the "first step" in its response and warned that additional measures could follow if what it termed "aggression" continued. The statement suggested that Tehran views recent developments as a violation of commitments outlined in the first clause of the ceasefire memorandum.
In a statement later, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to all vessel traffic, warning ships against approaching the strategic waterway and saying their security could be at risk if they do so.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical energy checkpoints, handling a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Any disruption to maritime traffic along the waterway is likely to raise concerns in international energy and shipping markets.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after a surge in fighting threatened broader diplomatic efforts linked to ending the conflict involving Iran and securing a more durable regional settlement.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Switzerland for the first round of talks with Iran on a potential nuclear agreement, according to an Axios report citing a US official.
The planned discussions come after Vice President JD Vance withdrew from the talks earlier this week as escalating violence in Lebanon cast uncertainty over the negotiations. The ceasefire has since eased some concerns, though questions remain over the future of talks seen as crucial to regional stability and the uninterrupted flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's negotiating team is heading to Switzerland for talks with the United States on the interim agreement related to the ongoing conflict, Iranian state television reported on Saturday, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagaei.
Commenting on the negotiations, Bagaei said the implementation phase would be the real test of any agreement. "Any memorandum or agreement is ultimately tested when it enters the implementation phase," he was quoted as saying by state television.
Source: Reuters