Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz Friday instead of coming to Switzerland to engage in nuclear negotiations, citing Israel’s refusal to leave Lebanon and US forces’ ongoing presence in the region.
In a statement read over maritime radio channels, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the US was in violation of the memorandum of understanding between the two countries, which President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed Wednesday.
“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,” it said. “All ships are requested, for the sake of their security and safety, not to approach the Strait of Hormuz. Any vessel that defies this directive will be targeted.”
US Central Command said Thursday it had formally lifted its two-month blockade on Iranian ports.
It was not immediately clear what Tehran meant by the embargo removal not being “complete.”
The IRGC announcement came hours after the first round of US-Iran nuclear talks achieved through the MOU and scheduled for Friday were called off.
The US has not given a reason for the postponement.
A source on Wednesday told The Post some hardliners in the Iranian regime were arguing against attending a since-canceled MOU signing ceremony until Israel removes its troops from southern Lebanon, where it has been hunting Hezbollah terrorists.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
