Iranian sources threatened missile attacks against Israel if IDF operations in southern Lebanon continue, according to Israeli Channel 13. The IRGC Navy formally closed the Strait of Hormuz, citing U.S. and Israeli violations. U.S. Vice President Vance expressed confidence in maintaining the Iran ceasefire, while Secretary of State Rubio blamed Iran for regional instability.
The escalation took a new turn on Saturday evening as Iran openly threatened missile retaliation against Israel, according to Channel 13, linking it to the continued IDF presence in southern Lebanon. The threat came as the IRGC Navy announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, branding it a 'first step' and warning vessels to stay clear for their own safety. U.S. Vice President Vance responded by reaffirming confidence in the June 2026 ceasefire with Iran, while Secretary of State Rubio stated that 'the source of every major problem in the Middle East is the Islamic regime in Iran.'
This is the latest in a week-long crisis. As The Zioneer reported earlier on Saturday (20:33 Jerusalem), IDF troops on the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon were contending with extensive Hezbollah underground fortifications. Earlier reports (The Zioneer, 20:33, 17:53, 16:13 Jerusalem) tracked the IDF's halting of fire after heavy overnight clashes and the IRGC's formal closure of the strait — each followed by Pentagon statements that the waterway remained open for commercial shipping. The thread's credibility evolved from initial single-source reports to multiple Israeli media outlets confirming the missile threat and the formal IRGC announcement.
As The Zioneer reported on Friday (12:15 Jerusalem), Iran had frozen U.S. talks and linked their resumption to a Lebanon ceasefire, while threatening to keep Hormuz closed. Former Prime Minister Bennett defended IDF operations as lawful self-defense against Hezbollah.
What remains unconfirmed is whether the missile threat represents a credible operational posture or a negotiating gambit ahead of the Geneva round, and whether the Hormuz closure will be enforced against shipping given the U.S. denial of disruption.
7 developments
- ConfirmedIran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz as Hezbollah rocket fire continues in south Lebanon
- 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
- StrongIranian source threatens to attack any vessel crossing the Strait of Hormuz
Source and signal
- Internal intake