Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, accuses US and Israel of breaching ceasefire

Iran’s military has closed the Strait of Hormuz once again, accusing the United States and Israel of violating a ceasefire deal, after Israeli strikes in Lebanon continued.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said the strait was closed to all vessels, citing the alleged ceasefire breaches.

“Do not approach the Strait of Hormuz; otherwise, your security will be jeopardised,” the Navy said in a warning to all ships.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest oil shipping channels. About 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes through it.

The closure was announced over continuing Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The ceasefire deal, signed by the US and Iran earlier this week, set out 14 points aimed at bringing the war to an end.

The United States, however, said the strait remained open. US Vice-President JD Vance said that there was no sign the waterway had been shut.

“We’re not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz,” Vance said, adding that 16 million barrels of oil had passed through the day before.

US Central Command (Centcom) said commercial ship traffic had in fact increased, with 55 merchant ships passing through on 20 June.

It said safe passage “remained intact today”, with the ships moving more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.

Centcom added that US forces remained present to ensure that all parts of the agreement with Iran were being followed.

Talks between US and Iranian representatives are due to be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on 21 June, according to Pakistan’s foreign ministry. Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar will also attend, with Pakistan facilitating the process.

The aim of the talks is to advance the understandings reached in the 14-point memorandum, the ministry said.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said his country would use the talks to demand that the other side meet its commitments

“Negotiations for a final agreement will begin only when the commitments set out in paragraphs one, four, five, 10 and 11 have started to be implemented and continue to be carried out,” Baghaei said. He said this was not yet the case, and that Iran would press the US to act.

The Switzerland talks, which had been due to be attended by Vance, were postponed earlier this week.