Vice President JD Vance said Saturday that there is no evidence Iran has successfully closed the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back against a declaration from an Iranian military command that it intended to shut down the strategically vital waterway.
Speaking during an appearance on Fox News’ Fox & Friends Weekend, Vance was asked about reports that Iranian forces were preparing to block commercial shipping through the narrow passage. The vice president dismissed those reports as inconsistent with available shipping data, arguing that vessels were continuing to transit the strait and that oil shipments remained at exceptionally high levels.
“One of the things that the president has set us out to do as a high priority is to open the Strait,” Vance said. He pointed to recent shipping figures as evidence that the waterway remained operational.
“We actually got 16 million barrels of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz yesterday,” Vance said, describing the figure as a record dating back to before the conflict began. “So you’re seeing those ships move,” he added.
Vance’s comments came only hours after Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced that it intended to close the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian military command accused the United States and Israel of violating commitments associated with a recent ceasefire agreement and said continued military activity had prompted the decision.
Iranian state media reported that the command also cited Israeli operations in southern Lebanon and continued activity involving Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant organization. The announcement immediately raised concerns about the potential consequences for international energy markets and global shipping.
Iran Accuses Washington of Violating the Agreement
Iran has accused the United States of acting in bad faith and failing to fulfill provisions contained in a memorandum intended to help end the conflict. Tehran has also pointed to Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon as evidence that the broader ceasefire framework is under strain.
The Strait of Hormuz is among the world’s most important energy chokepoints. The narrow passage connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it a critical route for international oil and gas shipments. Any sustained disruption could have significant consequences for global energy prices, shipping costs and international markets.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran that included provisions intended to restore normal passage through the strait following months of disruption. The latest Iranian declaration has therefore raised fresh questions about whether the agreement can withstand renewed military and political pressure.
Despite the threat, Vance sought to reassure markets and the public that commercial traffic remained active. He also confirmed that diplomatic efforts were continuing, saying special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner were in Switzerland ahead of negotiations scheduled for Sunday.
Violence Escalates in Southern Lebanon
Diplomatic efforts are unfolding as violence continues elsewhere in the region. Lebanese Civil Defense officials said Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people and wounded another 12. Israel confirmed that it had conducted strikes in the area.
The Israeli military said the operation followed the launch of more than 50 projectiles by Hezbollah toward Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials described the strikes as an effort to eliminate what they characterized as immediate threats and Hezbollah infrastructure.
“In order to remove threats and in response to Hezbollah’s blatant violations,” the Israeli military said, it had struck dozens of Hezbollah sites and targeted militants across southern Lebanon.
The renewed fighting adds another layer of uncertainty to negotiations already complicated by competing accusations between Iran, Israel and the United States.
For now, the Trump administration appears determined to emphasize that the Strait of Hormuz remains operational while diplomatic channels remain open. Whether Iran ultimately attempts to enforce its threat—and whether commercial shipping can continue at current levels—could become a critical test of the fragile ceasefire and the broader diplomatic effort to prevent another escalation.
