Senior Iranian figures told the Lebanese news network UNews on Saturday that Iranian missiles could be fired at Israel overnight if, as they put it, "the aggression against Lebanon continues." The threat comes amid ongoing tension in southern Lebanon and continued Israel Defense Forces activity in the area.
At the same time, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. In its official statement, the command said the move was a response to what it described as U.S. violations of commitments and failure to implement the first clause of the memorandum of understanding ending the war.
The headquarters said continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, harm to civilians, and Israel’s failure to withdraw forces from southern Lebanon amount to a continuing breach of the understandings. It described the strait closure as an initial response to the other side’s failure to honor its obligations, and warned that if the aggression continues, further steps will be taken to force compliance.
The statement opened with a verse from Surah At-Tawbah: "If they break their oaths after their treaty and attack your faith, then fight the leaders of disbelief, for indeed there are no oaths for them, perhaps they will desist." Separately, the Iranian military said, "The finger is on the trigger, and we are awaiting the Leader’s order, ready to defend the people’s security and their interests." The threats come against the backdrop of the ceasefire announced between Israel and Hezbollah, which a senior American official said took effect Friday at 4:00 p.m.
