Iran on Friday re-closed the Strait of Hormuz instead of proceeding to Switzerland for scheduled nuclear negotiations, citing Israel’s refusal to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon and the continued presence of US forces in the region.
In a statement broadcast over maritime radio channels, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accused the United States of violating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
According to the IRGC, key conditions of the agreement included Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American forces from the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas.
“Since Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American terrorist forces from the Persian Gulf and the region are among the main conditions of the agreement between Iran and the United States, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these conditions are met,” the statement said.
It further warned that all ships should avoid the strategic waterway for safety reasons, adding that any vessel ignoring the directive could be targeted.
Traffic data from the Strait of Hormuz on the morning of June 19 showed commercial shipping activity in the area, despite heightened tensions.
The US Central Command said on Thursday it had formally lifted its two-month blockade on Iranian ports.
However, it remained unclear what the IRGC meant by saying the embargo had not been “completely” removed. Shortly after the IRGC announcement, a US official claimed that Israel and Hezbollah had reached a ceasefire agreement.
