Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday in response to renewed conflict in Lebanon, despite U.S. military officials reporting that commercial traffic continued unimpeded through the strategic waterway. According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), approximately 55 merchant vessels safely traversed the strait, transporting substantial volumes of cargo and over 17 million barrels of oil.

CENTCOM emphasized that U.S. forces remain actively engaged to ensure full compliance with a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Washington and Tehran, which includes provisions for the strait’s immediate reopening. Captain Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, stated that the strait "is open and the U.S. blockade against Iran has ceased," countering the Revolutionary Guard’s announcement.

The IRGC’s assertion came amid escalating tensions linked to fighting in Lebanon, where a fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the United States on Friday, quickly unraveled. The Revolutionary Guard framed the proposed closure as a retaliatory measure for what it described as a breach of promises by opposing forces, signaling that further actions might follow should hostilities persist.

The recent hostilities threaten the progress of ongoing discussions in Geneva, scheduled to resume on Sunday between senior U.S. and Iranian officials. These talks seek to address several complex issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, the status of frozen assets, reconstruction assistance, and the delicate security situation in the region, all under the framework of a 60-day cease-fire agreement. Notably, the agreement calls for an end to violence “including in Lebanon,” although neither Israel nor Hezbollah are formal participants in the deal.

Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains below pre-conflict averages, with data indicating a marked increase since the cease-fire took effect but still falling short of the approximately 120 commercial vessels that typically passed daily before the escalation. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has also threatened to impose tolls on vessels navigating the waterway, a stance that drew a sharp rebuke from former President Donald Trump, who declared that there would be “NO TOLLS” in the strait.

Meanwhile, the cease-fire in Lebanon broke down within hours as Hezbollah fired roughly 50 projectiles at Israeli troops on Saturday morning, killing one soldier and wounding 13 others in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Tebnit. The Israeli Defense Forces responded with retaliatory strikes targeting Hezbollah positions, reports say. Lebanese officials cited at least 27 casualties resulting from the counterattacks.

Hezbollah rejected accusations of initiating the violence, asserting that its fighters engaged Israeli forces in self-defense after troops attempted to advance into Lebanese territory. The Lebanese army attributed the ongoing violence to efforts by Israel to undermine prospects for restoring stability.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter condemned Hezbollah as a terrorist organization acting as a proxy for Iran, accusing Tehran of using its influence to extract concessions. The clash has intensified political tensions within the U.S., as internal disputes emerged over the Iran agreement, with conservative commentators criticizing the administration’s approach and responses from White House-affiliated social media accounts fueling divisions.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Levant remains volatile, underscoring the fragility of regional security and the complexity of diplomatic efforts underway.