By Ayo Kehinde
Fresh tensions have erupted across the Middle East after Iran announced the closure of the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a major disruption to global oil supply.
The Iranian military, on Saturday, declared that the vital maritime passage had been shut to all vessels, accusing the United States and Israel of violating a newly brokered ceasefire agreement intended to halt hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.
In a statement, Tehran blamed what it described as “America’s blatant breach of promise” regarding a 14-point agreement negotiated to end the broader conflict between Iran, Washington and its regional allies.
Iranian authorities specifically pointed to the first clause of the agreement, which called for an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
According to Iranian officials, continued Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon shortly after the ceasefire announcement amounted to a direct violation of the deal, prompting the decision to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation followed reports that at least 23 people were killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon less than 24 hours after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was announced by United States officials on Friday.
Lebanese local authorities said 16 people were killed in the Nabatieh district, while seven others died in neighbouring Saida following renewed Israeli bombardments.
The Israeli military confirmed that a ceasefire arrangement had taken effect but insisted military operations would continue where “immediate threats” existed.
In a separate statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had struck “dozens” of Hezbollah positions after the Lebanese militant group allegedly fired more than 50 projectiles toward Israeli forces operating in the area.
However, Hezbollah has rejected parts of the ceasefire arrangement.
A senior Hezbollah official told international media that the group does not recognise the ceasefire announced by American officials, insisting it rejects Israel’s stated objective of maintaining freedom to conduct military operations inside Lebanese territory.
Since the ceasefire announcement, both Israel and Hezbollah have traded accusations of repeated violations, raising fears that diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict may have collapsed almost immediately after implementation.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, remains one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical chokepoints, serving as the primary transit route for crude oil shipments from major Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Following Iran’s announcement, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) sought to calm growing fears, insisting commercial traffic through the waterway remained active despite Tehran’s declaration.
In a statement posted Saturday, CENTCOM said commercial vessel movement through the strait had actually increased during the day, with 55 merchant ships successfully transiting the waterway.
“Commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased June 20 as US forces continued operating in the general area to support freedom of navigation. Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets”, CENTCOM said.
The US military command further stated that American forces remained deployed in the region to ensure freedom of navigation and that all aspects of the agreement with Iran remain “in full force and effect.”
Despite Washington’s assurances, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) maintained that the strait had been closed to all vessels, reiterating accusations that both Washington and Tel Aviv had violated ceasefire commitments reached during efforts to contain the broader regional war.
