STRAIT OF HORMUZ — Iranian state media reported that Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels, citing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. Iran's top joint military command stated that the strait would remain closed for commercial vessels, but Iran's Foreign Ministry denied that the Strait of Hormuz was closed.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning to ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, stating that vessels approaching the area would face security risks. U.S. Central Command reported that 55 merchant ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Overnight, more than 20 vessels traveled through the strait. U.S. Central Command stated its forces would continue to operate to support freedom of navigation without arbitrary requirement claims or impediments.

Iran stated that ships require its permission and mandatory insurance to cross the Strait of Hormuz. A document from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority indicated that the required insurance policy was free but that fees could be introduced in the future. The authority also stated that ships must follow a prescribed route along Iran's coast and that alternative routes are prohibited. Ships are required to submit requests to the authority for a passage permit. These permits typically receive a response within 48 hours and authorize a single transit through the strait, valid for five days from issuance.

The authority published a map of routes it considers safe, stating that any deviation from the fixed corridor would be considered a violation. Western naval groups recommended a corridor along Oman's waters as the main transit route for the strait. These forces also published the coordinates of their recommended route. Pakistan's navy reported that a mine was spotted near Oman's coast.

Technical-level talks involving U.S. and Iranian representatives, with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, are scheduled for Sunday, said Vice President JD Vance. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that negotiations for a final agreement would begin once obligations are implemented. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will lead the Iranian delegation. The authority, created by Iran during the war, has since been sanctioned by the U.S. The memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. and Iran committed to an immediate end to all fighting, including in Lebanon, and states that transit through the strait will be free for the duration of its 60-day term.

Israeli strikes killed at least 16 people in southern Lebanon early Saturday, including two children. Lebanon's army reported that a soldier was killed between Kfar Rumman and Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces stated that Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles toward IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon overnight. Hezbollah stated it had adhered to the ceasefire since Friday evening. Vessel tracking data showed that tankers with the capacity to transport at least 20 million barrels of oil left the Iranian port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman in recent days.