Iran says it closed the Strait of Hormuz again as diplomats head to Switzerland
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict in Lebanon and tensions involving Iran. This decision came after days of fighting in Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement, with Iran blaming the US and claiming the strait was closed due to “bad faith” and breaches of commitments. Iran’s foreign ministry sent a diplomatic team to Switzerland for peace talks, aiming to address obligations and reduce tensions. The Guards confirmed the strait’s closure,warning ships to stay away for safety reasons,which raises concerns about broader impacts on maritime trade.The conflicting interests between Iran’s foreign ministry and the Guards reflect divisions within Iran’s leadership regarding the conflict. The situation underscores the fragile state of regional peace and the potential for further escalation.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Saturday morning that it closed the Strait of Hormuz over fighting in Lebanon, while Iran’s foreign ministry’s diplomatic team embarked for Switzerland for peace talks.
Fighting in Lebanon erupted on Saturday for the second day in a row, despite both sides agreeing to the ceasefire. After a day of threats, Iran’s joint military command announced on Saturday that the strait was closed due to the “bad faith” of the U.S. and “its clear breach of its commitments” by failing to end the war in Lebanon.
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“If the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned,” it said.
A statement from the Guards’ navy shortly after confirmed the Strait of Hormuz was now closed.
“Due to the crimes of the Zionist regime in Lebanon, and the violation of the United States’s obligations in implementing the ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz is closed to all ships,” the statement read, carried by several Guards-affiliated outlets.
“We confirm that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed, and ships should not approach it; otherwise, their safety will be at risk,” it added.
The development wasn’t announced by Iran’s foreign ministry, which instead said its delegation was traveling to Switzerland for peace talks with the U.S., after a day’s delay.
“In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said, according to Fars news agency.
ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH CONTINUE FIGHTING AFTER CEASEFIRE IN LEBANON
The foreign ministry and the Guards have been noted to have different interests throughout the conflict, sometimes contradicting each other.
The closure of the strait happened after ships had begun to cautiously navigate the sea lane, after months of being stranded in the Gulf. The sudden closure could have wider implications, as the newfound illustration of the peace deal’s fragility could spook shipping companies into choosing not to traverse the strait until a more definitive end to the fighting.
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