Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Pakistani PM calls for restraint One of the major points in the two-week ceasefire agreement was that Iran would allow the resumption of shipping through Hormuz, easing a disruption in
Pakistani PM calls for restraint
One of the major points in the two-week ceasefire agreement was that Iran would allow the resumption of shipping through Hormuz, easing a disruption in the flow of oil and gas, which has sent prices soaring around the world.
But, the United States said yesterday that Iran must open the Strait of Hormuz “immediately, quickly and safely” after reports that the strategic waterway was shut despite a U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
Any closure “is completely unacceptable,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
“I will reiterate the president’s expectation and demand that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened immediately quickly and safely.”
One of the major points in the two-week ceasefire agreement was that Iran would allow the resumption of shipping through Hormuz, easing a disruption in the flow of oil and gas which has sent prices soaring around the world.
Leavitt also said that President Donald Trump wants to see the waterway accessible to tankers without any limitations, including tolls.
“The immediate priority of the president is the reopening of the strait without any limitations, whether in the form of tolls or otherwise,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt’s comments come after Iranian state media reported yesterday that Tehran had closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to attacks by Israel on Lebanon.
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The move comes on the same day a two-week ceasefire between Tehran and Washington came into force, ending more than a month of fighting.
The Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said that while two oil tankers passed through the strait with permission from Iran earlier yesterday, traffic has now been stopped.
Both U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire agreement did not include Lebanon, claims denied by mediator Pakistan.
“Aggression towards Lebanon is aggression towards Iran,” General Seyed Majid Mousavi, aerospace commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, wrote in a post on X.
He warned that Iranian forces were preparing a “heavy response” without revealing details.
The fresh violence has already threatened to scuttle what U.S. Vice President JD Vance called a “fragile” deal.
Lebanon’s health ministry said that at least 112 people had been killed and 837 others wounded in a wave of air strikes launched by Israel.
Israel’s military called it the largest coordinated strike in the current war, striking more than 100 Hezbollah targets within 10 minutes in Beirut, southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa valley.
“The Israeli enemy’s airstrikes on numerous Lebanese areas, reaching the capital Beirut, have led, in an updated non-final toll, to 112 martyrs and 837 wounded,” the ministry said in a statement.
Israel’s military said it had targeted missile launchers, command centres and intelligence infrastructure and accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields.
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“The State of Lebanon and its civilians must refuse Hezbollah’s entrenchment in civilian areas and its weapons build-up capabilities,” the military said in a statement.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif yesterday called on all parties to respect the ceasefire, after reports of violations in parts of the conflict zone.
The U.S. and Iran had agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire that included reopening the Strait of Hormuz for shipping.
“Violations of ceasefire have been reported at few places across the conflict zone, which undermine the spirit of peace process,” Shehbaz said in a post on X.
“I earnestly and sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards peaceful settlement of the conflict,” he added.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi spoke over the phone with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir and discussed violations of the ceasefire by Israel in Lebanon, according to state-run IRNA news agency.
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The meeting comes ahead of Pakistan hosting peace talks between the US and Iran on Friday in Islamabad.
“The day after tomorrow, the US and Iran delegations will meet in Pakistan, and all efforts will be made for the success of talks,” the Prime Minister said while addressing a Cabinet meeting. He said Pakistan is looking to permanently douse the flames of war.
Earlier, Shehbaz held a “warm and substantive” telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who confirmed Tehran’s participation in the Pakistan-facilitated peace talks. It is not yet clear who will represent Iran in the negotiations.
The PM Office said their conversation lasted over 45 minutes. Shehbaz thanked the leadership of Iran and the US for accepting “our request” for a ceasefire.
He also thanked Gulf nations, other Muslim countries, and China for supporting Pakistan’s peace efforts.
Speaking to the Cabinet, Shehbaz said deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar and field marshal Munir played key roles in securing the ceasefire.
“The field marshal spent many sleepless nights making contacts with the leader of the US and Iran,” he said.
