Iran announced on June 20 that it was closing the Strait of Hormuz once again in response to ongoing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the closure was a direct reaction to what it described as violations of a ceasefire agreement by Israel, accusing Tel Aviv of breaching the terms of a peace deal signed recently between the United States and Iran. The Iranian military warned vessels to avoid the waterway, warning that further steps would be taken should hostilities continue.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime chokepoint, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes, making it a key element in global energy security. Iran had agreed to reopen the strait earlier this month as part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) brokered by U.S. and Iranian negotiators, which aimed to end hostilities and pave the way for further nuclear negotiations. Tankers had recently resumed cautious passage through the strait after months of partial blockade during the prior conflict.
However, the status of the strait remains disputed. U.S. officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and the U.S. Central Command, denied that Iran had enforced a closure. Vance told Fox News that no evidence suggested the strait was closed, citing data that showed about 16 million barrels of oil passing through over 24 hours and a rise in commercial ship traffic, with the U.S. Central Command reporting 55 merchant vessels transiting the strait on June 20. Vance expressed confidence that the ceasefire outlined in the US-Iran agreement would hold.
Meanwhile, on the ground in Lebanon, tensions remain high. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered Israeli forces to hold fire amid the escalations, following apparent coordination with the United States. Despite this, Israeli military sources indicated the intention to continue operations against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group active in southern Lebanon. Both sides have accused each other of violating a ceasefire that was declared last Friday but has been fragile at best.
The closure announcement came as U.S. and Iranian representatives were preparing to meet in Switzerland to advance discussions under the new peace framework. Pakistani officials confirmed that technical-level talks, postponed earlier due to recent violence, were scheduled to resume in Burgenstock, Switzerland. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei emphasized the need for reciprocal compliance, warning that failure by the other party to meet commitments would jeopardize the entire agreement.
The recent flare-ups have complicated the fragile diplomatic landscape. The U.S.-brokered deal focuses on a 14-point agenda including an immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, respect for sovereignty, and a timeline aiming for a comprehensive agreement within 60 days. However, the developments reopened skepticism about the deal’s durability amid ongoing violence and political opposition, including criticism from within the U.S. political establishment where some Republicans argue the agreement is too lenient.
As the situation unfolds, the global community continues to watch closely, given the potential risks to regional stability and the global energy market posed by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.