West Asia Conflict / Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz again after Attack on Lebanon
·2 hours ago·2 min read
Key Points
Ceasefire deal falters as Israel launches over 100 airstrikes within minutes, prompting Tehran to halt tanker traffic.
Global alarm rises with the U.S. demanding the strait’s reopening, Gulf states warning of spillover, and protests erupting in Washington.
Global alarm rises with the U.S. demanding the strait’s reopening, Gulf states warning of spillover, and protests erupting in Washington.
Tehran, Apr 9: Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz after Israeli strikes killed more than 100 people in Lebanon. The closure comes less than 24 hours after a fragile ceasefire deal was announced, putting nearly 20% of the world’s oil shipments at risk.
On Wednesday, the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, a deal that included Iran’s pledge to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, potentially restoring the flow of global energy supplies.
But within hours of the agreement, the Israeli military carried out an intense bombardment in Lebanon, launching more than 100 airstrikes in just ten minutes. The strikes targeted Hezbollah positions, according to Israeli officials, but Lebanese authorities reported widespread destruction and civilian casualties.
Following which, Iran said tanker traffic on Hormuz would come to a "complete stop", citing ceasefire violations by Israel over its strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Also read: India Issues Fresh Advisory, Urges Nationals To Leave Iran Expeditiously
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway through which nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass daily. Its closure immediately halted several tankers, though some vessels reportedly received clearance to proceed under Iranian supervision. Analysts warn that a prolonged shutdown could send oil prices soaring and destabilize already fragile supply chains.
The White House has demanded Iran reopen the strait, calling the move “an unacceptable act of economic coercion.” Gulf Arab states expressed alarm at the potential spillover of violence, while protests erupted in Washington against further military escalation.
Delegations from Iran and the United States are expected to meet in Islamabad later this week to salvage the ceasefire, but trust between the parties is eroding rapidly.
Israel defended its strikes, saying Hezbollah’s presence in Lebanon posed an immediate threat. Lebanese officials condemned the attacks as indiscriminate, while humanitarian groups warned of mounting civilian casualties.
On Wednesday, the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, a deal that included Iran’s pledge to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, potentially restoring the flow of global energy supplies.
But within hours of the agreement, the Israeli military carried out an intense bombardment in Lebanon, launching more than 100 airstrikes in just ten minutes. The strikes targeted Hezbollah positions, according to Israeli officials, but Lebanese authorities reported widespread destruction and civilian casualties.
Following which, Iran said tanker traffic on Hormuz would come to a "complete stop", citing ceasefire violations by Israel over its strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Also read: India Issues Fresh Advisory, Urges Nationals To Leave Iran Expeditiously
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway through which nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass daily. Its closure immediately halted several tankers, though some vessels reportedly received clearance to proceed under Iranian supervision. Analysts warn that a prolonged shutdown could send oil prices soaring and destabilize already fragile supply chains.
The White House has demanded Iran reopen the strait, calling the move “an unacceptable act of economic coercion.” Gulf Arab states expressed alarm at the potential spillover of violence, while protests erupted in Washington against further military escalation.
Delegations from Iran and the United States are expected to meet in Islamabad later this week to salvage the ceasefire, but trust between the parties is eroding rapidly.
Israel defended its strikes, saying Hezbollah’s presence in Lebanon posed an immediate threat. Lebanese officials condemned the attacks as indiscriminate, while humanitarian groups warned of mounting civilian casualties.
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