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Iran’s central military command announced on June 20 that it has once again closed the vital Strait of Hormuz over Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, describing the escalation as a breach of the Islamic Republic’s memorandum of understanding with the United States.
“It is hereby announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic; It is noted that this first step is a response to the enemy’s breach of promise, and if the aggression continues, further steps will be planned and taken to force the enemy to comply with its obligations,” says the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters in a statement carried by state TV.
Israel expanded its ground operations against Hezbollah after the U.S. and Iran signed the deal, which includes a cessation of all hostilities in Lebanon.
A day earlier, another ceasefire was announced in Lebanon after efforts from the U.S., Iran and Qatar. Still, the Israeli military renewed attempts to reach the strategic Ali al-Taher height in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said that the attempts were all thwarted.
“Again, under the cover of the ceasefire, the enemy last night carried out an infiltration attempt towards the Ali Taher hills,” Hezbollah said in a statement, adding that fighters ambushed the Israeli troops and “confronted them with appropriate weapons”.
Hezbollah “declares that while it is committed to the ceasefire, it will not be lenient in confronting any enemy attempt… to expand its occupation,” the statement added.
The Iranian announcement came after Lebanon’s civil defense agency reported earlier in the day that Israeli strikes on the Nabatieh district in the country’s south have killed 16 people. Seven others were killed in the town of Qennarit, near the coastal city of Sidon, also in the south, according to Lebanese media. The death of four more people in the eastern Beqaa Valley was also reported.
A day earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said in response to the escalation in Lebanon that the U.S. must ensure Israel complies with the terms of the deal.
“The United States must make sure that Israel abides by the provisions of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington,” Khatibzadeh told Al Jazeera. “We are ready to move forward step by step, if the other side shows the same degree of seriousness.”
The Israeli escalation in Lebanon is not surprising. According to a report by The Washington Post, a recent U.S. intelligence analysis warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could take actions that will undermine the deal between Iran and the U.S.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz came just as negotiations between Iran and the United States on a final comprehensive agreement are expected to begin in Switzerland.
If the U.S. fails to pressure Israel into halting its military operations in Lebanon, Iran will likely respond in a more direct way — a move that could collapse the deal. This appears to be Israel’s primary objective.
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