Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Tehran has reportedly shut down the strategic Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions across West Asia.
According to local media reports cited by the Associated Press and Iran’s Fars News Agency, the move comes in response to continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
The ceasefire agreement, reached early Wednesday, included Iran’s commitment to keep the vital shipping corridor open—raising hopes for stabilising global energy supplies. However, the latest development casts doubt on those expectations and threatens renewed disruption in oil markets.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier endorsed the US-led ceasefire but clarified that it did not extend to Lebanon. In a statement, Netanyahu said Israel supports the temporary halt in strikes against Iran, provided Tehran ceases attacks and reopens the strait.
At the same time, he underscored that military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon would continue, calling it a “separate” conflict. Israeli strikes reportedly killed over 100 people and injured hundreds more, prompting strong reactions from Iran.
Washington responded sharply to reports of the strait’s closure. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said any disruption to maritime traffic through the Hormuz corridor is “completely unacceptable,” urging Iran to restore safe passage immediately.
Meanwhile, Trump defended Israel’s continued offensive in Lebanon, stating that Hezbollah was not part of the ceasefire arrangement. “That’s a separate skirmish,” he said in an interview, signalling US backing for Israel’s actions despite the broader truce with Iran.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery for global oil shipments—raises fresh concerns for energy markets and international shipping, even as diplomatic efforts aim to prevent a wider regional conflict.