Iran closes Strait of Hormuz – sends negotiators

TT

Updated 18.25 | Published 15.30

 

Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The picture was taken on June 16. Photo: AP/TT

The Strait of Hormuz will be closed again as a result of Israel's attacks on Lebanon, according to Iran's military leadership.

At the same time, Tehran states that a negotiating delegation will be sent to Switzerland – and a similar message comes from JD Vance.

According to Iran, the Israeli attacks constitute a violation of the understanding that Tehran and Washington have entered into, according to a statement read out on Iranian state television on Saturday.

"It is hereby announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to shipping and that this is a first step in a response to the enemy's breach of promise and that further measures, if necessary, will be taken to force the enemy to honor its commitments," according to the statement from the military leadership.

Iranian delegation leaves

According to Lebanon's civil defense, 16 people were killed in the latest attacks by Israel, which were carried out during the night of Saturday. The Israeli military states that the attacks were a response to projectiles fired by the Iran-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah.

Shortly after the announcement of the closure of the strait, state television in Iran reports that the country "within a few minutes"

Pakistan to Switzerland

A moment later, US Vice President JD Vance also announces that he expects to leave for Switzerland in the coming days.

- I expect to leave within a couple of days, but as you know, it is a delicate coordination dance, Vance tells Fox News.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry, which is the mediator, said in a statement that “technical talks” to implement the agreement between the US and Iran will begin on Sunday and that mediators from both Pakistan and Qatar will participate in the discussions with Tehran and Washington.

However, Esmail Bagahei, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stressed that the negotiations could come to a standstill if Iran does not feel that the US is fulfilling its part of the agreement. If this does not happen, “the entire memorandum of understanding will be jeopardized,” Bagahei said, according to the AP.

Figures were released on Friday showing that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has increased since it was reopened as a result of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.