Now fighting is over, the question is how Iran's government will behave. Early clues point to more authoritarianism and prioritising relations with China
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Saturday morning that it closed the Strait of Hormuz over fighting in Lebanon, while Iran’s foreign ministry’s diplomatic team embarked for Switzerland for peace talks. Fighting in Lebanon erupted on Saturday for the second day in a row, despite both sides agreeing to the ceasefire. After a day of […]
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it was closing the Strait of Hormuz Saturday, even as Vice President Vance said there was no evidence that it had been shutdown.
The Iranian armed forces announced Saturday they will close the Strait of Hormuz — just three days after it reopened — alleging America's failure to rein in Israeli attacks on Lebanon violates the new ceasefire deal. Why it matters: This is the first big crisis between the U.S. and Iran since signing a memorandum of understanding to end the war earlier this week. It takes place as President Trump's envoys are already in Switzerland ahead of a potential first round of nuclear negotiations planned for Sunday. The Iranian delegation headed by speaker of parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Switzerland on Saturday.State of play: A senior U.S. defense official said the U.S. military is still not seeing any Iranian military movements on the ground that reflect a potential "closing" of the strait. "Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets," U.S. CENTCOM said Saturday.What they're saying: Shortly before Araghchi announced he is traveling to Switzerland, the Khatam al-Anbiya central headquarters of the Iranian armed forces announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz."In light of the United States' clear bad faith and breach of its commitment to implement the first clause of the memorandum of understanding for ending the war, and in response to the continuous and ongoing violations of the ceasefire by the Zionist regime in southern Lebanon, it is hereby announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to maritime traffic."The Iranian military said this is "the first step" in responding to alleged violations of the ceasefire. "Should the aggression continue, further measures have been planned and will be implemented to compel the enemy to abide by and carry out its obligations."Shortly after that, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps navy said the strait "is closed to all vessels" and warned ships not to approach.
“I expect that I will leave sometime the next couple of days” to join US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Switzerland for talks with Iran, Vice President JD Vance says in an interview with Fox News.
Iran said it has closed the Strait of Hormuz for shipping transit due to what it called a violation of the ceasefire by Israel, as continued attacks in southern Lebanon pose a growing setback to prospective peace talks.
Nuclear experts warn Trump's Iran framework could leave Tehran with too much control over its uranium stockpile without proper IAEA inspections first.
Lawmakers are split on Trump's Iran peace deal, with some praising nuclear progress while others warn it could give Tehran billions with no enforcement.
The Islamic Republic could walk away with a lot of cash.