8. April 2026

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Over Israeli Attacks in Lebanon

WASHINGTON-- Iran moved Wednesday to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to a wave of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to Iranian state media, escalating tensions across a region critical to global energy supplies.

Despite the reported closure, two oil tankers were able to transit the narrow waterway, which carries roughly 20% of the world’s shipments. Ship-tracking service MarineTraffic identified the vessels as the Greek-owned NJ Earth and the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach, marking the first known commercial passages through the strait since a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran was announced.

Conflicting accounts quickly emerged over conditions in the waterway. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said reports of a full closure were inaccurate, telling reporters that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation before she addressed the press.

“That is completely unacceptable, and again, this is a case of what they’re saying publicly is different privately,” Leavitt said, referring to Iranian statements. “We have seen an uptick of traffic in the strait today.”

The developments come just hours after Trump announced a ceasefire agreement with Iran aimed at halting a rapidly intensifying confrontation. The president had previously warned that he was prepared to authorize a sweeping military strike against Tehran if it failed to ensure the continued flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi pushed back on Washington’s position, signaling that Tehran views the ceasefire as contingent on a broader halt to hostilities involving U.S. allies.

“The Iran–U.S. ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the U.S. must choose — ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both,” Araghchi said in a post on the social platform X.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday wounded hundreds of people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, further complicating efforts to de-escalate tensions. The Israeli military has said its operations are aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities amid ongoing cross-border hostilities.

Araghchi also accused the United States of failing to uphold its commitments under the ceasefire framework, pointing to the continued violence in Lebanon.

“The world sees the massacres in Lebanon,” he said. “The ball is in the U.S. court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments.”

Regional spillover appeared to intensify, with at least two U.S. allies in the Gulf reporting attempted attacks. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted nine drones it attributed to Iran on Wednesday, underscoring fears that the confrontation could widen beyond its current theaters.

Leavitt emphasized that Lebanon is not covered under the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, drawing a distinction between bilateral commitments and the broader network of conflicts involving Iranian-backed groups.

The situation remains fluid, with maritime traffic, military activity and diplomatic signals shifting rapidly as global markets and governments closely monitor developments in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.