Iran Blocks Strait Of Hormuz Again After Israel Violates Ceasefire Deal By Attacking Lebanon’s Hezbollah

Iran has again moved to restrict the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz after Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.

According to Iran’s state media Islamic Republic News Agency and statements shared by the Iranian embassy in Mumbai, tankers are not being allowed to pass through the key waterway following the latest Israeli attacks.

The move comes just hours after Iran had indicated the route would reopen under a temporary ceasefire arrangement.

The situation has created uncertainty around the ceasefire announced earlier this week between the United States and Iran.

Israel has continued its military operations in Lebanon despite the ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it carried out a large, coordinated operation targeting more than 100 Hezbollah sites across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon.

The targets included command centres, intelligence hubs, missile and naval infrastructure, as well as assets linked to Hezbollah’s Radwan Force and aerial units. The operation was reportedly planned over several weeks and based on intelligence inputs.

Israeli military officials said they would continue strikes against Hezbollah and would not compromise on the security of northern Israel. They also claimed that some of the targeted sites were located in civilian areas, while stating that steps were taken to limit civilian harm.

Reports cited by Al Jazeera Media Network, based on Lebanon’s health ministry, said at least 89 people were killed and over 800 injured in the latest strikes across the country.

The United States has rejected Iran’s decision to block or restrict shipping through the Strait. The White House said the move was unacceptable and added that vessel traffic had still been observed in the waterway. Officials reiterated that the route should remain open and safe.

US President Donald Trump stated that Hezbollah was not part of the ceasefire agreement with Iran and described Israel’s operations in Lebanon as a separate issue. He indicated that the situation involving Hezbollah would be addressed separately.

Iranian officials have taken a different view. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said a ceasefire and negotiations with the US were unreasonable under current conditions, pointing to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, an alleged drone incident, and disagreements over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said that any ceasefire must include developments in Lebanon, a position rejected by both the US and Israel.

There have also been reports that Iran is attempting to control passage through the Strait by requiring vessels to seek permission from its naval forces, with warnings issued against unauthorised transit.

Some reports suggested that ships could be asked to pay large sums for safe passage.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire does not apply to Hezbollah and indicated that operations in Lebanon would continue. He stated that Israel had made significant gains and that the current pause does not mark the end of its campaign.

References: freepressjournal, nypost