Iran closes strait again because of Israel-Lebanon fighting

Published: Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3:26 pm

Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon as the reason for the action. This move comes despite a peace plan reportedly in place between the United States and Iran, which was understood to include an end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.

According to Iran's military, the strait was closed to through traffic due to what it described as a "clear breach" of a memorandum of understanding with the United States. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters specifically pointed to the continued killing and displacement of Lebanese residents from southern Lebanon, as well as Israel's refusal to withdraw from the country, as justifications for blocking the vital waterway. These reasons were reported by The New York Times.

The U.S. Central Command confirmed that 55 commercial ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. However, this figure remains significantly lower than the pre-war average of 130 ships per day. The U.S. military stated its continued presence in the area is to "support freedom of navigation." This announcement was made following Iran's declaration of closure.

The situation unfolds as diplomatic efforts are underway, with talks scheduled for Sunday. Iran's negotiating team has reportedly departed for Switzerland for these discussions. In contrast, Vice President JD Vance had stated on Saturday morning that the strait was open, emphasizing that opening the strait was a high priority for the administration. He noted that millions of barrels of oil passed through the strait on Friday, suggesting its operational status.

Vice President Vance also indicated that representatives from Pakistan and Qatar are expected to participate in the talks in Switzerland. He expressed his expectation to travel to Switzerland within the next few days, describing the negotiations as a "delicate coordination dance." Vance further commented on the desire of the Qataris and Pakistanis to ensure the process is conducted appropriately, stating his intention to be respectful of their approach, which led to a delay in his own travel plans.

BNN's Perspective:
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supply, injects significant uncertainty into international energy markets and diplomatic efforts. While Iran cites a breach of an agreement and ongoing conflict as justification, the timing of this action, just before scheduled peace talks, raises questions about its strategic intent. The discrepancy between Iran's announcement and the U.S. military's observation of ship traffic highlights the complex and often contradictory information surrounding such geopolitical events. The success of the upcoming negotiations will be crucial in de-escalating tensions and ensuring the unimpeded flow of commerce through this vital waterway.

Tags: Iran, Strait of Hormuz, Israel, Lebanon, fighting, peace plan, United States, memorandum of understanding, hostilities, commercial ships, freedom of navigation, talks, Switzerland, Vice President JD Vance, Pakistan, Qatar

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