Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, citing U.S., Israel ceasefire violations

Iran's top out articulate military machine require, Khatam al-Anbiya telephone exchange ‌Headquarters, said on Saturday that the ​Strait of Hormuz ​would be closed to vessel ​traffic, citing alleged violations ⁠of ⁠a ‌ceasefire agreement by the U.S. And Israel, Iran's Mehr ⁠state news agency reported.

It said ‌that the closure was the "first step" in response to what ​it described ⁠as breaches of ⁠commitments and warned ⁠that further ⁠measures ​would be taken if "aggression" ​continued.

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Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 16 people on Saturday, Lebanese Civil Defence said, hours after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect, with Israel saying it was responding to projectiles fired by the Iran-backed group.

Lebanon's state news agency NNA said Israeli warplanes and drones hit multiple locations in the south and the Bekaa Valley.

An Israeli military official said Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at its forces in southern Lebanon overnight, prompting strikes on what the official said were "Hezbollah targets."

The Israeli military, which has occupied swathes of southern Lebanon, said in a statement that Hezbollah's attacks constituted repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.

It said it remained committed to the truce in accordance with political directives and would respond decisively to any attacks on Israeli civilians or troops.

Hezbollah also said it remained committed to the ceasefire but would respond to any attempt by Israel to "seize territory or expand its occupation."

Israel, Hezbollah reportedly agree to renew ceasefire

The group said Israeli forces attempted overnight to infiltrate the Ali al-Taher hill area in southern Lebanon. It said its fighters engaged them, after which Israel carried out airstrikes inside and outside its declared operational area.

A senior Hezbollah official told Reuters the group would not allow Israel "freedom of movement" in what it called occupied Lebanese territory, adding that resistance remained legitimate while Israeli forces remained in Lebanon.

The violence highlights the fragility of a truce intended to halt months of escalating violence, and of an interim peace deal between the U.S. And Iran that hinges in part on an end to the conflict in Lebanon.

One of the deadliest Israeli strikes hit a three-storey residential building in the southern town of Barish in the Tyre district, killing a father, mother and their two children, a local village official told Reuters.

The Lebanese army said an Israeli strike killed a soldier on the Kfarrumman-Nabatieh road and accused Israel of undermining efforts to restore stability.

Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire, according to regional sources

Iran says Israel must withdraw from Lebanon to sign tentative deal to end war with U.S.

Israel's Arabic-language military spokesperson said calm could be achieved if Hezbollah halted what she described as hostile activity and violations of agreements, adding Israel's presence in a security zone aimed to remove threats and dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure, not harm civilians.

The ceasefire was agreed on Friday after a sharp escalation in hostilities. A U.S. Official said it took effect at 4 p.m. Local time that day, while a senior Israeli official and two Hezbollah sources confirmed the agreement.

Lebanon's Health Ministry says 3,912 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March 2, including medics, women and children. Israeli authorities say at least 32 soldiers and four civilians have been killed in the latest hostilities.

The U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding announced this week calls for an immediate, permanent end to military operations by the parties and their allies across multiple fronts, including Lebanon. Israel, which was not part of those negotiations, has opposed provisions it says could constrain its campaign in Lebanon.

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