Revolutionary Guard Announces Closure of Strait of Hormuz.. Threatens More

SadaNews - With the escalation of Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, the Revolutionary Guard announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic after it was opened to ships following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. last Wednesday.

The "Supreme Joint Military Leadership in Iran" announced in a statement today, Saturday, that the strait will be closed to ship traffic in response to the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, according to what Mehr news agency reported.

Hinting at Additional Measures

It also added that the closure came "due to reports of American and Israeli violations of the memorandum of understanding on the ceasefire," which pertains to halting hostilities and warfare on all fronts including Lebanon.

Furthermore, the Revolutionary Guard threatened that this closure is "the first step," warning of additional measures if "the aggression continues."

This move coincided with remarks from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance regarding positive vibes in talks with Iran. Vance stated in an interview with Fox News that U.S. envoy Steve Youtkov and Jared Kushner are in Switzerland preparing to meet with the Iranian delegation. He also indicated the possibility of traveling soon to Bern, and the potential for talks with the Iranian delegation on Sunday. When asked about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Vance said, "There is no evidence of the closure of the strategic maritime route so far."

Okaji’s Travel to Bürgenstock

The Revolutionary Guard's decision also comes as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Switzerland tonight, after meeting earlier today with Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whose country has played a mediating role between Tehran and Washington for months.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry warned yesterday against the continuation of Israeli escalation in Lebanon, stressing that its delegation will not travel to Lucerne until it ensures the implementation of the terms of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding that stipulated the cessation of war on all fronts.

It is noteworthy that talks between the U.S. and Iran were scheduled to begin yesterday, Friday, in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock but were unexpectedly postponed.

Meanwhile, the White House announced late Thursday that Vance canceled his trip to Switzerland for "logistical" reasons.