Breaking: Hormuz Closed, Iran Strikes Back Over US and Israel Violations

Iran's military headquarters, Khatam al-Anbia, has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all ship traffic, citing what it described as US violations of the war-ending memorandum of understanding and Israel's continued strikes and killings in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreement.

Iran called the closure "the first step," warning further measures would follow if violations continue.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance told Fox News he was "not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz," stating doubts about the closure.

The announcement lands as a direct challenge to Trump, who had declared just hours earlier that ships were "flowing out of the Hormuz Strait like nobody has ever seen before."

What Triggered Closure

Iran cited two specific triggers: the US's alleged failure to implement the terms of the interim MOU, and Israel's continued military operations in southern Lebanon in the last two days even after the MOU signing.

Israeli strikes killed at least 3 people in southern Lebanon Thursday alone, just a day after the US-Iran MOU was signed.

A drone struck a car near Kfar Tebnit, killing 2.

At least 1 more person was killed in a separate strike in Zabadin.

Israel has made clear it does not consider itself bound by the deal's call for immediate and permanent termination of military action on all fronts.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly rejected halting operations.

"We cannot stop destroying houses in southern Lebanon. We cannot stop, period," he said, adding:

"We must continue to control the territory even if Trump disagrees. We are an independent state."

His remarks came directly after Trump warned Israel at the G7 "not to bomb every house" in Lebanon, and after both Trump and Vice President JD Vance warned Israel it could not afford to alienate "the only powerful ally" it has left.

A Deal Already Under Strain

The MOU gave negotiators 60 days to finalise a permanent agreement on Iran's nuclear program, with a $300 billion reconstruction fund and sanctions relief on the table.

But the planned technical follow-up talks in Switzerland were called off Thursday after Vance cancelled his trip, and Iran had already signalled it needed to see proof of US implementation before sending its own delegation.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had warned that nuclear talks ahead would not be easy, saying "if the American side wants to be too demanding, we will not accept it."

Iran retains control of the Strait of Hormuz in partnership with Oman and had already announced plans to charge ships new service fees once the 60-day negotiating window closes.

The Hormuz closure now raises immediate questions about whether the broader peace framework can survive Israel's refusal to halt operations, and whether the US has either the will or the leverage to bring its ally into compliance before the economic consequences of a closed strait begin to bite again.