Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Disputes Claim as Talks Begin

Iran announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, citing U.S. failure to end fighting in Lebanon and a breach of commitments under an interim agreement. U.S. Central Command rejected the announcement, stating that Iran does not control the strait and that traffic continues to flow.

The command reported that 55 merchant ships transited the waterway on Saturday carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil.

Iranian state media said a negotiating team including parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and central bank and oil officials left for Switzerland after a one-day delay. The team is scheduled to begin technical-level talks Sunday with U.S. and Qatari mediators present.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that top negotiators were already in Switzerland working through details of a potential nuclear agreement. The interim deal provides 60 days, which can be extended, to reach a final accord.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people, including two children, hours after reports of a possible ceasefire. Lebanon’s health ministry said the death toll in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war has surpassed 4,000. A Hezbollah official told The Associated Press that Iran informed the group it would not reopen the strait until Israel publicly commits to a comprehensive ceasefire and ends military operations in Lebanon.

An Israeli military official said the military had received updated directives to cease fire and is now operating defensively. >"Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. " — Capt. Tim Hawkins, U.S. Central Command spokesperson Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Iranian officials in Tehran on Saturday to revive direct talks, according to officials in Islamabad.

Ships began transiting again after the interim U.S.-Iran agreement was signed earlier in the week, which also lifted the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.