Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Threatens Strait of Hormuz Closure
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz closed Saturday, citing renewed Israeli-Hezbollah hostilities in Lebanon despite a cease-fire.
The IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters attributed the abrupt closure to renewed hostilities in Lebanon despite an active cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, according to New York Post.
The Revolutionary Guard’s military command issued a warning via state television announcing that vessel traffic through the strait would be halted. The statement characterized the closure as an initial measure responding to what Iran called the enemy’s failure to honor commitments, with additional actions threatened if aggression persists.
The closure announcement came after Israeli airstrikes targeted what the Jewish state identified as Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, killing at least 16 people on Saturday. The strikes occurred mere hours after a new truce had taken effect, Lebanese Civil Defense reported.
Shipping Traffic Shows Dramatic Decline
Maritime data from AXS Marine indicates that 25 commercial vessels successfully transited the strait on Thursday, marking the highest number since April. However, this figure represents a stark decline from the pre-war average of 120 ships daily.
Traffic had been flowing normally early Friday morning before fighting erupted again in Lebanon. The IRGC subsequently warned mariners against entering the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the United States had violated Wednesday’s memorandum of understanding between President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Casualties Mount on Both Sides
Israel justified Saturday’s strikes as retaliation for projectiles launched by Hezbollah. One Israeli attack on a three-story structure in the Tyre district killed an entire family of four, including both parents and two children, a local official confirmed.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported that four soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon overnight into Friday, with five additional IDF personnel wounded hours later.
White House Denies Strait Closure
Vice President JD Vance contradicted Iranian claims during a Saturday morning appearance on Fox & Friends, stating no evidence supported the closure assertion.
Vance noted that 16 million barrels of oil had moved through the Strait of Hormuz the previous day, calling it a record. The waterway has allegedly been closed since fighting began on February 28.
The memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran reportedly stipulated that Iran would open the strait in exchange for the United States lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.
High-Level Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Steve Witkoff, US envoy, and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, are currently in Switzerland conducting technical discussions as part of implementing the recently signed memorandum with Iran, Vance confirmed.
Both American officials are scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Geneva. Vance indicated talks with Tehran could resume as early as Sunday, though he acknowledged the fluid nature of diplomatic negotiations.
After canceling a Thursday night trip to Switzerland, Vance said he plans to travel to Geneva within the coming days, citing complex coordination requirements and diplomatic protocols.
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi remains in Switzerland prepared to engage with Iranian officials. Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani of Qatar, which has served as a mediator and holds frozen Iranian assets, is also present.
Switzerland’s foreign ministry described the Burgenstock resort overlooking Lake Luzerne as continuing to provide an appropriate venue for sensitive negotiations.
Trump Defends Iran Deal
Earlier Saturday, President Trump defended his agreement with the Islamic Republic while criticizing his predecessors’ approach to Iran. He attacked what he called radical Left Democrats and specifically named former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for weak leadership on Iran policy.
Trump asserted through Truth Social that Iran had evaded consequences for 47 years until his administration changed the dynamic.
With information from New York Post
