Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and failure to implement US commitments regarding the ceasefire understandings. However, the Pentagon and Centcom denied any disruption, reporting 55 commercial ships passed through the strait carrying over 17 million barrels of oil. Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at IDF troops in southern Lebanon over the weekend; the IDF struck Hezbollah targets in response. Iran said its negotiating team will still travel to Geneva for talks.
Over the weekend, Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon, prompting Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets, according to a summary of events posted by reports. The incident is the latest in a series of exchanges since the June ceasefire understandings, which have been repeatedly violated from both sides. As The Zioneer reported earlier Saturday (article, 15:13 Jerusalem), more than 50 launches targeted troops overnight; the military spokesperson called that barrage a violation of the ceasefire.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters — the joint operations center for the Islamic Republic's armed forces — announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the decision came in response to continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and failure to implement US commitments regarding the ceasefire's first article. However, the Pentagon and Centcom denied any disruption. Centcom stated that 55 commercial ships carrying over 17 million barrels of oil crossed the strait during the day without interference. Bloomberg also reported that traffic through the strait continued as normal. The Zioneer reported multiple versions of the closure announcement earlier in the day (starting at 16:12 Jerusalem), with the IRGC and Khatam al-Anbiya issuing statements. Initial reports cited a single official source; by 16:12 Jerusalem, the IRGC had formally announced the closure as a 'first step,' and the Pentagon's denial followed.
Despite the escalation, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the Iranian negotiating team would depart for Switzerland ahead of talks in Geneva. According to Iranian sources, the delegation is headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, alongside the central bank governor and the deputy head of the Supreme National Security Council. As The Zioneer reported on Tuesday (June 16, 18:09 Jerusalem), Araghchi had stated that negotiations would begin Saturday.
Hezbollah's overnight barrage, which the IDF labeled a ceasefire violation, and the Iranian closure announcement remain unverified by independent sources on the ground. The Pentagon and CENTCOM's denial of any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has not been independently confirmed by the Zioneer.
13 developments
- ConfirmedIran announces immediate closure of Strait of Hormuz, threatens 'first step' over Lebanon
- StrongIran reportedly closes Strait of Hormuz as IDF braces for multi-day fighting
- StrongIDF halts fire in south Lebanon after night of heavy clashes; Iran closes Hormuz Strait
- StrongIran threatens indefinite Hormuz closure, blocks IAEA inspections as Israeli officials warn of shifting U.S. support
Source and signal
- Internal intake