Iran moved to shut down the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, halting traffic through the world’s most vital maritime oil corridor, according to state media reports. The action came less than 24 hours after Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Tehran.
Iranian authorities declared that tanker movements through the strait would come to a “complete stop,” citing alleged violations of the ceasefire by Israel. The claim followed a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, which reportedly resulted in more than 250 fatalities.
The White House responded by calling on Iran to immediately reopen the strategic waterway. Prior to the closure, two vessels had reportedly been permitted to pass through before Tehran reversed its decision.
Israel, however, maintained that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire arrangement—an assertion rejected by Iran. Tehran has insisted that any truce must encompass all fronts, including a halt to Israeli operations against Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups.
A senior Iranian official defended the move to close the strait, condemning what was described as “savage Zionist aggression against Lebanon” and arguing that the ceasefire must apply universally.
“In response to the savage Zionist aggression against Lebanon, the passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz must be halted right now,” said Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, in a post on X.
“The Lebanese sacrificed their lives for us and we must not leave them alone for a moment. Ceasefire either on all fronts or on no fronts.”
Earlier, President Trump had indicated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was a condition of the ceasefire. However, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council suggested that Washington had, in principle, accepted Tehran’s continued control over the waterway.
A senior Iranian official later signalled that restrictions could be eased by Thursday or Friday ahead of planned peace talks in Islamabad on April 11. Even so, vessels would still require Iranian approval to transit the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is a critical artery for global energy supplies, carrying nearly 20% of the world’s daily oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Israel Launches Heaviest Strikes on Lebanon
The escalation unfolded as Israel carried out its most extensive air campaign yet in Lebanon, despite Hezbollah reportedly pausing attacks on northern Israel under the broader ceasefire framework.
Explosions shook Beirut, sending large plumes of smoke across the capital. The Israeli military said it had conducted its largest coordinated assault of the conflict, striking more than 100 Hezbollah command centres and military facilities across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported that at least 254 people were killed and more than 800 injured in the strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire related to the six-week US-Israeli conflict with Iran did not extend to Lebanon. The military confirmed that operations against Hezbollah would continue.
This position appeared to contradict remarks by Shehbaz Sharif, who had suggested during mediation efforts that Lebanon would be covered under the truce.
Israeli officials added that many of Wednesday’s strikes targeted areas with civilian populations. While warnings had been issued for parts of southern Beirut and southern Lebanon, no such alerts were given for central Beirut, which was also hit.
Hezbollah, Iran Warn of Retaliation
Hezbollah denounced the strikes as “barbaric aggression” and reaffirmed what it described as its legitimate right to respond.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Beirut would continue efforts to be included in any wider regional peace arrangement.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned both the United States and Israel of a “regret-inducing response” should attacks on Lebanon persist.
In an interview with PBS News, President Trump reiterated that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire, describing the situation as a “separate skirmish,” though he added that it would be “taken care of.” The White House echoed this position, confirming that Lebanon was excluded from the agreement.
Since March 2, Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon has reportedly killed more than 1,500 people, including over 130 children and more than 100 women, following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on Israel in support of Iran.
