Iran announced on Saturday that it is once again closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks carried out by Israel in Lebanon, which they consider a violation by the US and Israel of the ceasefire agreement signed this week between Tehran and Washington.
„The Strait of Hormuz will be closed to maritime traffic (…) This initial measure is a response to the enemy’s violation of its commitments,” the central command Khatam-al Anbiya, which brings together the Iranian army and the Revolutionary Guards, stated in a release.
"If the aggression continues, additional measures will be planned and implemented to compel the enemy to respect its obligations," the statement further reads.
According to a point in the memorandum of understanding to end the conflict between the US and Iran signed this week, Iran has committed to "guarantee the safe passage of commercial vessels, free of charge for 60 days, between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, as well as in the opposite direction.
Commercial vessel traffic will resume immediately" and will be fully restored within 30 days, once the Strait of Hormuz is cleared of mines, the document specifies.
Ceasing the fighting in Lebanon is a condition for starting 60 days of American-Iranian discussions to resolve disputes regarding Iran's nuclear program and other thorny issues necessary to produce a more durable agreement, essential for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilizing global oil supplies.
However, just a few hours after a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks killed at least five people in the south on Saturday, Lebanese media reported.
55 ships passed through Ormuz today
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on X that commercial ship traffic in Hormuz has increased today.
"Commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased on June 20, as US forces continued to operate in the general area to support freedom of navigation. Safe passage through international waterways remained intact today, as 55 commercial vessels transited, carrying large quantities of goods and over 17 million barrels of oil to global markets," CENTCOM conveyed.
"US forces remain present and vigilant to ensure that all aspects of the agreement with Iran are respected, adhered to, and fully in force," the source stated.U
Negotiations in Switzerland
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan announced that American-Iranian discussions will take place on Sunday at Bürgenstock, Switzerland, as reported by BBC.
Representatives from Pakistan and Qatar will also participate in the negotiations, with Islamabad facilitating the process as a mediator, according to a statement published on X.
The objective of the discussions is to "advance the understandings reached" in the 14-point memorandum of understanding, it adds.
The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, stated that in the talks in Switzerland, Tehran will "pressure" the US to fulfill its commitments.
The interim agreement from Wednesday requires the United States, Iran, and their allies to declare an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
However, just a few hours after a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks killed at least five people in the south on Saturday, Lebanese media reported.
Halting the fighting in Lebanon is a condition for starting 60 days of American-Iranian discussions to resolve disputes regarding Iran's nuclear program and other issues necessary to reach a more durable agreement, essential for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilizing global oil supplies.