End-of-War MOU in Crisis After Just Two Days: Iran Plays 'Hormuz Re-Blockade' Card

The U.S.-Iran end-of-war memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was agreed upon to end the Middle East war and initiate nuclear negotiations, is in danger of being scrapped just two days after taking effect on June 18 (local time).

As Israel's airstrikes on southern Lebanon continued, Iran pressured the United States by abruptly canceling the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a key provision of the end-of-war MOU—yesterday (June 20).

In a statement issued on that day, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which unifies command of the Iranian Armed Forces, announced, "In response to the United States' clear violation of the principle of good faith and failure to fulfill its commitments, including non-compliance with Article 1 of the MOU, and as the Israeli regime continuously violates the agreement and fails to withdraw from southern Lebanon, we declare the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to transiting vessels."

Article 1 of the end-of-war MOU states that all military operations on every front, including Lebanon, will be halted immediately and permanently, and that Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty will be guaranteed.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy also warned, "All vessels must not approach the Strait of Hormuz. Approaching it will put safety at risk," adding, "Due to the crimes committed by the Zionist regime (Israel) in Lebanon and the United States' violation of the MOU, the Strait of Hormuz is closed to all vessels."

Israel continued its airstrikes on southern Lebanon even after the MOU took effect. Although it agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah the day before yesterday (June 19), it carried out airstrikes yesterday morning (June 20), citing a preemptive attack by Hezbollah.

U.S. President Donald Trump claims to oppose Israel's airstrikes on Lebanon, but Iran maintains that the U.S. is responsible, accusing it of condoning or instigating the attacks.

Due to Israel's continuous airstrikes on Lebanon, the start of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, which had been scheduled for the day before yesterday (June 19) in Switzerland, was also postponed.

Iran, however, did not close the door to negotiations with the U.S., stating that its negotiating delegation left for Switzerland that afternoon (June 20).

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed on that day that "the negotiating delegation has left for Switzerland," adding, "Negotiations for a final agreement will only begin when the provisions of the MOU are implemented."

He further emphasized, "Unfortunately, we are not seeing such a situation (of implementation). Therefore, the purpose of this trip to Switzerland is not to start the main negotiations, but to demand the other party's implementation of the MOU."

While the composition of the Iranian delegation that left for Switzerland was not announced, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported the news alongside a photo of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah on June 19, but attacked southern Lebanon again the following day (June 20).

A few hours after the ceasefire announcement, in the early morning of today (June 21), the Israeli military mobilized fighter jets and drones to conduct airstrikes on about 10 locations in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon.

Lebanon's Civil Defense authorities announced that 16 people were killed that day.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health calculated that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes, which began in early March, has exceeded 4,000.

Regarding the airstrikes, an Israeli military official told Reuters, "Overnight (after the ceasefire), the terrorist organization Hezbollah fired about 50 projectiles toward Israeli forces in southern Lebanon," countering that "in response to this attack, we conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon." The official then shifted the blame to Hezbollah, saying, "If Hezbollah stops violating the ceasefire agreement, stability between Israel and Lebanon can be achieved."

Hezbollah countered that the Israeli military had intruded into Nabatiyeh late at night on June 19 and fired projectiles, prompting them to respond.

Hezbollah maintained, "We will abide by the ceasefire, but we will respond without hesitation to any attempts by the enemies occupying Lebanese territory."

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.