On Friday, Iran once again shut down the Strait of Hormuz, opting not to attend nuclear talks in Switzerland. This decision was attributed to Israel’s ongoing presence in Lebanon and the continued deployment of U.S. forces in the region.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps communicated this move via maritime radio, stating that the United States had breached a memorandum of understanding signed just days earlier by President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, the full removal of the naval blockade, and the retreat of American forces, deemed terrorist by Iran, from the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas are key conditions of our agreement with the United States,” the statement declared. It further warned, “The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these conditions are fulfilled. Ships are advised to avoid the Strait to ensure their safety, as any vessel ignoring this warning will be at risk of being targeted.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command announced on Thursday that it had officially ended a two-month blockade on Iranian ports.
However, there remains ambiguity surrounding Iran’s claim that the embargo’s lifting was not “complete.”
The IRGC announcement came hours after the first round of US-Iran nuclear talks achieved through the MOU and scheduled for Friday were called off.
The US has not given a reason for the postponement.
A source on Wednesday told The Post some hardliners in the Iranian regime were arguing against attending a since-canceled MOU signing ceremony until Israel removes its troops from southern Lebanon, where it has been hunting Hezbollah terrorists.