Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya headquarters announced the immediate closure of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the U.S. of acting in "bad faith" and Israel of violating the ceasefire in Lebanon, according to the Iranian announcement. The statement warns the closure is only the "first step" in response, though no specific further actions were detailed.
Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya headquarters — the central command coordinating the IRGC, the Artesh, and the Basij — announced the immediate closure of the Strait of Hormuz at 21:12 Jerusalem, citing U.S. 'bad faith' and Israeli violations of the Lebanon ceasefire. The statement, carried by Iranian state-aligned channels, warns the closure is only the 'first step' in response, and follows earlier threats of direct missile strikes on Israel if attacks on Lebanon continue, as The Zioneer reported at 17:52 Jerusalem.
This formal declaration caps a rapid escalation reported through the evening. At 17:52 Jerusalem, the IRGC Navy announced the transition to a complete closure, and senior Iranian officials threaten direct missile strikes on Israel if Lebanon attacks continue, as The Zioneer reported. At 20:33 Jerusalem, the Pentagon and Centcom denied any disruption, reporting 55 commercial ships passed through the strait on Saturday; an earlier report at 21:01 Jerusalem framed the broader escalation, including the IDF's halt of fire in south Lebanon. The desk also reported at 20:33 Jerusalem that Iran's negotiating team will still travel to Geneva for talks, per Centcom's denial.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters had previously announced the closure earlier Saturday, citing continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and failure to implement US commitments regarding the ceasefire understandings. The IDF's Home Front Command has stated its defense policy remains unchanged through June 21.
It remains unverified whether the IRGC is currently enforcing a physical blockade. The Pentagon and Centcom have previously denied any effective disruption, with 55 commercial ships passing through the strait on Saturday. The specific further actions threatened as 'first step' beyond the closure itself have not been detailed.
6 developments
- ConfirmedIran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz as Hezbollah rocket fire continues in south Lebanon
- StrongIranian state media calls on foreign ministry to close Strait of Hormuz over Israel's Lebanon presence
- StrongIran threatens indefinite Hormuz closure, blocks IAEA inspections as Israeli officials warn of shifting U.S. support
- StrongIran reportedly closes Strait of Hormuz as IDF braces for multi-day fighting
Source and signal
- Internal intake