US military 'vigilant' after Iran announces Hormuz closure

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border in Upper Galilee, northern Israel, Jun. 17. According to Israel's military, a soldier was severely injured, two others moderately injured, and two additional soldiers were lightly injured as a result of an explosive drone impact in southern Lebanon. EPA-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military said Saturday it remained "present and vigilant" in the Strait of Hormuz, shortly after Iran announced it was closing the critical shipping lane.

"US forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect," U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

CENTCOM, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East, said 55 commercial vessels had transited the strait Saturday and that "safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today."

The statement was issued at around 10:30 am (local time).

Iran had announced moments earlier that it was closing the strait in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon, deeming them a violation of its fragile deal with the United States.

The renewed tension came as U.S. and Iranian negotiators were expected to to continue talks on implementing the agreement in Switzerland.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking on Fox News before Iran's announcement, said he expected to travel to Switzerland in "the next couple of days" to take part in negotiations.

Maritime tracking firms said Friday that traffic through the strait had risen to its busiest level in two months.