Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, linking it to air strikes in Lebanon, which they claim violate a Memorandum of Understanding meant to halt the war. This statement was reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The Iranian military operations command communicated via Tasnim’s Telegram account at approximately 9:10 a.m. ET, stating, “The Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic.” This statement contrasts with Iran’s foreign ministry, which had earlier informed Tasnim that the strait was functioning normally and had not been closed.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, during a live interview on Fox News at about 9:30 a.m., affirmed that “the straits really are open.” He stressed ongoing efforts to ensure the shipping lanes remain unobstructed.
Tasnim acts as a semi-official news source for Iran, often reflecting the positions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which may not represent a unified government stance.
The situation injects new uncertainty into the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supply, through which about 20% of the world’s energy passes under normal circumstances.
This is an unfolding story, and updates will be provided as they become available.
Leave a Reply