Iran Closes Hormuz Strait Again, German Defence Minister Blames Trump

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has blamed United States President Donald John Trump for Iran’s renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran took the step because, despite reaching a ceasefire agreement with Washington, Israel ignored it by continuing to attack Lebanon. “Ultimately, the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz was driven in by Donald Trump, not by us, but we have an interest in reopening it,” Pistorius said in an interview with television station ARD in Berlin on Sunday (21/6/2026). He stressed that Europe needs smooth ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as the strait is one of the main arteries for oil and gas shipments. “The opening of the Strait of Hormuz, or more precisely a safe passage through the strait, is in Europe’s interest, in the interest of our energy supply and economic recovery,” Pistorius said. According to Pistorius, any agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz requires support from Iran and Oman. Berlin has repeatedly distanced itself from Trump’s campaign against Iran, although German officials have not yet directly blamed the US for the conflict. On Sunday, Iranian news agency Tasnim, citing a source close to the negotiating team, reported that the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened as long as the ceasefire in Lebanon was not respected. The source said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until permits allowing Iranian oil sales were issued. Meanwhile, Fars news agency, citing an Iranian military source, reported that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Fars stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has not issued permits for any vessels to pass until further notice. The Iranian government warned that it would not enter talks on a broader agreement with the US unless the war in Lebanon ends. “Without the implementation of these provisions, especially paragraph 1 (the cessation of war on all fronts, including Lebanon), entering the negotiation phase for a final agreement is impossible,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei wrote on his X account on Sunday.