The Strait of Hormuz is reportedly closed down again tonight. Iran shut it down after another Israeli attack on Lebanon, a development that could be a dealbreaker for peace between Iran and the United States. Following President Trump’s signing of the memorandum of understanding in the Palace of Versailles, the Iran peace deal remains shaky amidst reported attacks between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israel states that Hezbollah struck IDF soldiers overnight, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon since Wednesday have killed dozens. Iranian officials assert that this recent violence represents a complete breach of the deal. They emphasize that Clause 1 of the memorandum is the most critical part of their reciprocal commitments, as it requires an end to the war on all fronts. Because the opposition has failed to fulfill these obligations, Iran views the situation as a clear violation of the ceasefire memorandum.
Iran claims it closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday in response to Israel’s attacks. However, a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cannot actually close the waterway because they do not control it. Vice President JD Vance pointed to continued progress in the Strait since the memorandum was signed, noting that 16 million barrels of oil moved out of the waterway in the last 24 hours, returning the flow to levels seen before the war began.
Despite the ongoing back and forth, scheduled talks in Switzerland have been postponed from Friday to Sunday. Vice President Vance confirmed that U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are already on site, stating his intent to get on the ground and address these problems directly. Iran has confirmed it will send representatives to the talks, and mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are also expected to attend.
