Iran declares Hormuz closed again day after deal with US
What's the story
Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil shipments. The move comes on the same day the United States lifted its blockade on Iranian ports after President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding to end the war in Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the decision to close Hormuz, citing Israel's continued presence in Lebanon and US forces' ongoing deployment in the region.
Conditions stated
IRGC warns ships to stay away
The IRGC said, "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 further warned all ships to stay away from Hormuz for their safety, adding that any vessel defying this directive would be targeted.
Blockade lift
US lifts 2-month blockade on Iranian ports
The US Central Command had lifted its two-month blockade on Iranian ports on Thursday. However, it is unclear what Iran meant by the embargo removal not being "complete." The announcement from the IRGC also came just hours after the first round of US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva was canceled. The discussions were aimed at reaching a permanent resolution to the Iran war.
Internal disagreement
Talks between US and Iran postponed
United States Vice President JD Vance was scheduled to lead these talks but postponed his trip due to alleged logistical issues, according to the White House. However, the announcement came after a report from Al-Mayadeen, a channel that is politically allied to Hezbollah, claimed that Iran was postponing sending its delegation to Switzerland because of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Lebanon. Pakistan, which has been playing the role of mediator along with Qatar, also has postponed its planned trip.