A Hezbollah supporter waves a Hezbollah flag and a poster of Iran’s founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini at Qasmiyeh Bridge, southern Lebanon, Friday. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues, angering Iran. Photo by Wael Hamzeh/EPA
Iran said it has closed the Strait of Hormuz again as Israel and Lebanon continue fighting in spite of the peace plan between the United States and Iran.
Iran’s military said Saturday that it closed the strait to through traffic because of a “clear breach” of the United States’ memorandum of understanding.
The deal between the United States and Iran included an end to hostilities on all fronts, which included Lebanon. On Friday, a wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least 22 people.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters cited the continuing killing and displacement of Lebanese residents from southern Lebanon and Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the country as reasons to block the strait once again, The New York Times reported.
The U.S. Central Command said 55 commercial ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz Saturday, but it’s still far below the average from before the war started: 130 per day. The announcement added that the U.S. military is still in the area “to support freedom of navigation.” The announcement was made after Iran said it would close the strait again.
Talks are scheduled for Sunday, and Iran’s negotiating team has left for Switzerland for the meeting. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News Saturday morning that the strait was open.
“One of the things the president has set us out to do as a high priority is to open the strait. That’s now happened,” Vance said. He added that millions of barrels of oil passed through the strait Friday. “That suggests that the straits really are open,” The Times reported he said.
Vance also said the Pakistanis and Qataris are expected to be in Switzerland for the talks Sunday, and that he still expected “to leave in the next couple of days” for Switzerland.
He said negotiations are “always a delicate coordination dance.”
“The Qataris and the Pakistanis want to make sure we do this in the right way, so I’m trying to be respectful,” said Vance, who delayed his trip to Switzerland late Thursday night.
FIFA World Cup: USA defeats Australia
Alex Freeman of the United States (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Australia in the first half during their FIFA World Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 19, 2026. Team USA defeated Australia 2-0. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
