Topline
Vice President JD Vance denied Saturday that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz just days after it was reopened, saying the U.S. is “not seeing any evidence” of a shutdown even as Iran’s joint military command has confirmed the closure and attributed it to Israel’s continued strikes against Lebanon.
Vance denied the shutdown Saturday.
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Key Facts
Iran’s joint military command declared the strait closed in a statement reported by Iranian state media.
Vance said he was “skeptical” of reporting from The Wall Street Journal that cited Iranian security officials who closed the strait over the U.S. failure to end fighting in Lebanon, a requirement under the memorandum of understanding signed by President Donald Trump and Iran this week.
“We’re not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz,” Vance said.
The vice president said his understanding from talking to special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner was “that things are going well” and “the straits are now open.”
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire Friday that was derailed by Saturday as the two sides exchanged strikes, the Journal reported, noting Israel’s commitment to keep troops in Lebanon until Hezbollah is defeated.
What To Watch For
The rise in tensions comes as diplomats from the U.S. and Iran are slated to meet in Switzerland on Sunday for technical-level talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. Vance also told Fox News that Trump is “not going to lose in this negotiation what we gained over the last year and a half of our engagement with Iran.”
Crucial Quote
“It is recalled that this step is the first response to the enemy’s breach of promise, and if the aggression continues, subsequent steps will be planned and taken to compel the enemy to fulfill its commitments,” Iran’s joint military command said in its statement.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.