Iran announces another closure on Strait of Hormuz

Iran has once again ordered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and this decision is being justified by the fact that there have been more attacks on Lebanon.

The Iranians are saying that the US and Israelis did not stick to the terms of the ceasefire agreement reached just a few days ago.

The claim was not accepted by Washington. The Vice President of the US, JD Vance, said in an interview with Fox News that there was no indication of any active blockade by officials. This came after reports by the Wall Street Journal about Iranian forces returning ships.

US forces note increased activity at Hormuz as Iran threatens to attack vessels

Vance estimated that nearly 16 million barrels of oil had moved through the strait the previous day. This was his estimate for proving that the tankers were still sailing through the strait.

The US Central Command then gave its own tally. According to Centcom, 55 merchant vessels had sailed through the strait on June 20, and the US military was operating near there. These vessels had been carrying cargo along with over 17 million barrels of oil for international markets.

Centcom stated that access through the Strait was still open and that the US military would be observing the region. The US military would also ensure that all conditions of the agreement between US forces and Iran are met.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval branch told ships not to approach the Strait of Hormuz and warned that their safety could be at risk. Iran said the closure answered continuing Israeli action in Lebanon.

The dispute comes before talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. Pakistan, acting as mediator, said American and Iranian delegates will attend tomorrow.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran will use the session to demand action on promises already written into the agreement. Baghaei said Iran would not begin work on a final settlement until paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 were being carried out and remained in force.

He said that has not happened. Baghaei added that Iran will press the US side to meet its duties during the Swiss talks.

The first section of the 14-point US-Iran agreement calls for a lasting end to military action across every front, including Lebanon. Iran says the new Israeli strikes break that clause.

Fighting in Lebanon deepens the ceasefire dispute before Swiss talks

Reports from southern Lebanon said at least 20 people were killed by Israeli attacks less than one day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced. Local officials later said 16 people died in Nabatieh and seven more in nearby Saida.

A US official said the previous day that Israel and Hezbollah had accepted a truce. Washington feared more fighting could damage the wider plan to end the war involving the United States and Iran.

The Israeli military confirmed that the ceasefire had started. A spokesman later said Israeli forces would still act against threats they judged immediate.

Hezbollah rejected that position. One official told the BBC that the group did not accept the ceasefire announced by US officials on Friday afternoon. He also said Hezbollah would not accept an Israeli right to enter Lebanon and operate without limits.

The Israel Defense Forces said it attacked dozens of Hezbollah sites after the group launched more than 50 projectiles toward Israeli troops. The IDF and Hezbollah then accused each other of breaking the ceasefire several times during the day.

A separate dispute is building around Iran’s World Cup team. The Iranian football federation plans to file a case with FIFA over travel rules imposed by US authorities.

Visa problems and the conflict with Washington have forced the squad to stay at its tournament base in co-host Mexico. The team must travel to the United States for each of its three group matches. All three group games are scheduled on American soil.

US rules require the Iranian delegation to arrive within 24 hours of kickoff and leave the country that day. Coach Amir Ghalenoei called Iran the tournament’s most oppressed team.

The federation said Friday that the limits do not give every team the same conditions and could hurt Iran’s match preparation.