Iran Says It Will Close Strait of Hormuz After Israeli Strikes in Lebanon

Iran said it would close the Strait of Hormuz in response to renewed Israeli strikes in Lebanon, and the US military denied Iran’s claim to control the strait as President Donald Trump threatened to impose US tolls in the shipping lane if a deal with Tehran is not ultimately reached.

“The growing rift between the United States and Israel hit new heights this week, with articles published in major Israeli publications accusing President Donald Trump of abandoning Israel to its greatest enemy following his interim deal with Iran”

Al Jazeera

Vice President JD Vance departed for Switzerland from Joint Base Andrews to take part in direct long-term peace talks with Iran, while Iran’s delegation landed in Zurich, Switzerland, for talks scheduled to take place Sunday at the Bürgenstock Resort.

Al Jazeera

CNN reported that the talks would include a focus on Lebanon, with an Iranian official telling CNN it was the number one issue for the delegation and that Tehran does not consider the next phase of negotiations started until Lebanon is addressed.

CBS News said the Strait of Hormuz will be closed again, Iran said Saturday, after accusing the U.S. and Israel of violating the memorandum of understanding by Israeli troops not withdrawing from southern Lebanon.

The dispute over the strait and the Lebanon fighting threatened to derail diplomacy even as the first face-to-face discussions between Washington and Tehran since a 14-point memorandum of understanding was signed were set to begin.

Vance told reporters he would be in Switzerland for "a day or two" while technical teams remained there, and he said he was "going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue" and "make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue."

CBS News reported that Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Switzerland early Saturday, and it said the luxury resort at Bürgenstock would remain closed to the public through Tuesday.

BBC

The US counters claim Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz were rejected by U.S. Central Command, with CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins saying, "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic continues to flow."

Iran warned vessels not to approach the strait, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that their "security could be at risk."

In parallel, CNN said Iran’s delegation was led by Iran’s head negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and that Vance said his top priorities were to set up the structure of the talks, "make progress" on the nuclear issues, and achieve a ceasefire in Lebanon.

As the US-Iran talks approached, The Guardian described Israelis in Rehovot and Metulla as feeling betrayed and angry after the Iran peace deal, with Avi Perez saying, "We were betrayed by President Trump," and Daniel Dorfmann calling it, "It’s a big mistake."

“What to know about the Iran war today: - The Strait of Hormuz will be closed again, Iran said Saturday, after accusing the U”

CBS News

The Guardian reported that Israelis feared the agreement imposed in Lebanon would restrict Israel’s ability to combat Hezbollah, and it quoted Udi Tenne saying, "Everyone living in Israel understands that Iran and Hezbollah are one and the same."

Al Jazeera reported that the growing rift between the United States and Israel hit new heights, with an op-ed in Israel Hayom accusing Trump of signing a "surrender agreement with a murderous and cruel terror regime" and Hagai Ram saying Trump had been turned "into a villain."

Forbes said Trump warned Iran is "FINISHED" and that the first meeting of the second round of negotiations was cancelled in Switzerland less than 48 hours after the agreement was signed.

BBC reported that US Central Command confirmed the end of the blockade "in accordance with the President's direction," and it said Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei approved the deal while saying Trump made it "out of desperation," as the 60-day window for final terms began.