Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, despite a recently announced agreement between Iran and the United States aimed at reducing tensions and restoring maritime access in the Gulf.
According to a report by The New York Times, the move came as Iranian diplomatic officials were presenting the agreement as a step towards de-escalation, while the IRGC issued a separate maritime warning imposing additional conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
In an emergency broadcast transmitted over regional maritime radio frequencies, the IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until Israel withdraws from Lebanon, naval restrictions are lifted and US forces leave the Gulf region.
“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 said.
The group also warned commercial vessels against entering the waterway.
“Any vessel that defies this directive will be targeted,” the statement added, while advising ships to avoid the area “for reasons of their safety and protection.”
The declaration came less than 24 hours after an interim understanding between Washington and Tehran raised expectations of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of commercial shipping through one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.
As part of the arrangement, the United States announced the lifting of its naval blockade in the Gulf, a move intended to ease tensions and facilitate the movement of commercial vessels through the region.
The latest declaration by the IRGC has cast uncertainty over those efforts, with maritime operators and security agencies reassessing vessel movements in and around the Gulf.
The development has also affected diplomatic engagements linked to the agreement. Reports indicate that US Vice President JD Vance postponed a planned trip to Switzerland, where follow-up discussions on nuclear and economic issues were expected to take place.
Regional diplomats cited by international media said the IRGC’s position was tied to broader demands relating to the conflict in Lebanon, including efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
The dispute highlights apparent differences between Iran’s diplomatic representatives and the IRGC over the implementation of the agreement, as regional tensions involving Iran, Israel and Lebanon continue to influence developments across the Middle East.
(The Whistler)
