Iran Claims Hormuz Strait Closed Again, Peace Plan in Disarray?
Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated again ahead of a new round of negotiations between the two countries in Switzerland. The Iranian government announced on Saturday (20/6/2026) that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed again and warned vessels to stay away from the strategic shipping lane. However, the US swiftly denied the claim and asserted that maritime traffic in the strait remains normal.
This latest dispute emerged just days after Tehran and Washington reached a tentative agreement aimed at ending hostilities in the Middle East region.
The announcement regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was made by the Iranian military together with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as Iranian negotiators prepared to travel to Switzerland for technical-level talks with US officials scheduled to begin on Sunday.
Iran’s joint military command stated the strait closure was a response to the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and what they termed US ‘bad faith’ and Washington’s failure to fulfil its commitments within the agreed ceasefire framework. Iranian state television also reported that ‘further measures have been planned’ if what it called aggression continues.
The Iranian statement came after an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Saturday that killed at least 16 people, including two children. The death toll was later reported to have reached at least 20 people. According to an Associated Press report citing Lebanese authorities, the strike caused widespread damage in several areas. The Lebanese government-run National News Agency also reported that seven people remained trapped under the rubble of buildings in Nabatiyeh and surrounding villages after the attack.
Meanwhile, despite Iran announcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the US military stated the opposite, saying no closure had occurred in the shipping lane. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces continue to monitor the situation to ensure ship traffic proceeds without disruption. ‘Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz,’ CENTCOM spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told Reuters. ‘Traffic continues, and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case,’ he added.
US President Donald Trump also signalled that his administration considers the Strait of Hormuz still open for shipping traffic. In a post on Truth Social on Saturday evening, Trump even hinted at the possibility of the US charging fees for vessels transiting the strait if the tentative deal with Iran fails to develop into a final agreement within 60 days. ‘There will be no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz for the 60-day ceasefire period, and there will be no tolls after that 60-day period ends, unless a toll is imposed by and for the United States, should the deal not be successfully concluded,’ Trump wrote. He claimed the fee would be charged as payment for ‘services rendered’.