Iran says Strait of Hormuz to remain closed until key conditions are met

Iran has reportedly announced that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until a series of conditions, including Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and the withdrawal of US forces from the Persian Gulf, are fulfilled.

In a statement broadcast over maritime radio channels, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the closure would continue despite a recent agreement between Tehran and Washington aimed at ending hostilities in the region.

The IRGC accused the United States of violating the memorandum of understanding electronically signed on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

"Since Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American terrorist forces from the Persian Gulf and the region are among the main conditions of the agreement between Iran and the United States, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these conditions are met," the statement reportedly said.

The IRGC also warned commercial vessels against approaching the strait, saying ships defying the directive would be targeted.

As per reports, the latest announcement came days after Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority said all vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz would be required to submit requests 48 hours in advance, despite reports that maritime traffic had resumed under the US-Iran agreement.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports pass, was closed following US-Israeli strikes on February 28, triggering a sharp rise in global energy prices.