TEHRAN, Iran — Iran announced on Saturday the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz following ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon, as Iranian and US negotiators prepared to hold talks in Switzerland aimed at implementing a deal to end the Middle East conflict.

Follow-up negotiations scheduled in Switzerland were postponed at the last minute after Israel launched a wave of strikes in Lebanon following the killing of four Israeli soldiers in combat.

The United States later announced a renewed ceasefire in Lebanon, part of a broader agreement involving Iran. However, clashes and airstrikes continued on Saturday, with both Israel and Hezbollah accusing each other of violating the truce.

Iran’s central military command cited what it described as a US breach of agreement and continued Israeli violations in southern Lebanon as it announced that “the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic.”

The Revolutionary Guards’ naval force warned ships to avoid the waterway, saying vessels approaching it would have their security put at risk.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, had reportedly seen resumed shipping activity in recent days after Iran previously agreed under a preliminary accord to reopen it.

The US military’s Central Command said its forces remained on alert and would continue to ensure compliance with the agreement.

Swiss talks planned

An Iranian delegation departed for Switzerland on Saturday for the postponed negotiations, according to state media. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran would push for immediate implementation of commitments under the agreement.

“Otherwise, the entire understanding will be in trouble,” he said, according to IRNA.

US Vice President JD Vance said he also expected to travel to Switzerland within days for talks, while US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in the country handling technical discussions.

Mediator Pakistan said technical-level talks were scheduled for Sunday.

The Swiss-hosted negotiations are expected to launch a two-month process addressing unresolved issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear program. Switzerland’s foreign ministry said foreign envoys were continuing efforts to sustain dialogue but did not provide further details.

Continued fighting in Lebanon

Violence also continued in Lebanon after Israeli strikes on Friday killed 83 people, according to health authorities.

A US official earlier announced a renewed ceasefire brokered by US and Qatari mediators, but Israeli forces later said they carried out additional attacks, accusing Hezbollah of launching more than 50 projectiles overnight.

Hezbollah, in turn, accused Israel of violating the truce and attempting an infiltration in southern Lebanon, saying its fighters repelled the advance.

Lebanese state media reported Israeli air raids on around 20 locations on Saturday, while the civil defence agency said 16 people were killed in the Nabatieh area. The health ministry also reported additional deaths near Sidon, bringing the overall toll to more than 4,000 since the escalation of fighting.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the group retained “the full right to confront this enemy when it attacks us.”

Israeli officials maintained their operations were defensive, with an unnamed military official cited by Kan saying their response follows a policy of “fire being answered with fire.” Israel’s US ambassador Yechiel Leiter also said Hezbollah had violated the truce and that Israel was acting in self-defense.

Hezbollah, however, said Israel bore “full responsibility.”

A displaced resident from southern Lebanon, Fadi Zayat, said fear continued to dominate the region.

“We returned to the village a few days ago, but our bags are ready to flee again,” he said.

Hezbollah’s involvement in the broader conflict began in March, following rocket fire it said was in response to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. A previous ceasefire attempt in April was not sustained, with both sides accusing each other of violations. —AFP