Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed as US disputes claim ahead of Switzerland talks
Iran said on Saturday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, sharpening tensions around a shipping lane that is central to global energy flows. The claim came as technical talks between the United States and Iran were due to begin in Switzerland on Sunday, with Pakistan and Qatar involved in mediation. The dispute adds a fresh layer of pressure to an already fragile diplomatic process tied to the interim understanding reached earlier in the week.
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Iranian officials said the move was linked to what they described as a breach of commitments by the United States after continued fighting in Lebanon. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said negotiations toward a final agreement would begin only once key commitments were upheld, warning that the memorandum of understanding could be jeopardized if they were not. Iranian state media said the delegation heading to Switzerland included Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials, including central bank and oil figures.
The United States disputed Iran's announcement. A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, Capt.
Tim Hawkins, said traffic continued to flow through the strait and that U.S. forces were monitoring the situation to ensure that remained the case. The military said 55 merchant ships transited the waterway on Saturday carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil. U.S.
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Vice President JD Vance also said he hoped the talks would make progress on the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire issue. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most sensitive maritime chokepoints, with about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas passing through it. Any disruption, or even the threat of one, can quickly affect shipping confidence, energy prices and regional security calculations.
That is why the latest exchange matters beyond the immediate dispute between Tehran and Washington, especially as the talks are meant to move from technical discussions toward a final agreement within 60 days. The current standoff is unfolding against the backdrop of continued violence in Lebanon. Earlier reports said the talks had already been delayed after Iran did not send its delegation for a planned Friday round, while Israeli strikes continued.
The interim deal was intended to stop fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and to create space for a broader settlement. Instead, the latest claims over Hormuz suggest that implementation is already under strain. The diplomatic track also reflects the involvement of several regional actors.
Pakistan has acted as a mediator throughout the war and hosted an earlier round of negotiations in Islamabad in April, while Qatar is also taking part in the Swiss talks. Pakistan's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, was expected to attend the start of the meeting, according to his office. The presence of senior officials on all sides indicates that the negotiations are being treated as high-stakes and potentially consequential.
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Donald Trump added to the pressure by threatening to impose American tolls on shipping through the strait if a final agreement is not reached within 60 days. He said the money would be for what he described as services rendered as a guardian of Middle East shipping, underscoring the toll-free travel terms in the interim arrangement. Iranian officials, meanwhile, said the talks would depend on whether the other side fulfilled its commitments, leaving the process vulnerable to further escalation.
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