Iran Declares Hormuz Closed Again, as Vance Says 60-Day Deal Keeps Strait Open
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jun 20
Iran Declares Hormuz Closed Again, as Vance Says 60-Day Deal Keeps Strait Open
3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jun 20
Summary
Iran’s joint military command said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again, calling the move a first response to Israel’s continued strikes in Lebanon and an alleged breach of this week’s U.S.-Iran memorandum.
JD Vance disputed that account, saying the U.S. saw no evidence of an ongoing shutdown and that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner believed the waterway was open.
The clash came a day after an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire unraveled, with both sides exchanging strikes as Israel maintained it would keep troops in Lebanon until Hezbollah is defeated.
Sunday talks in Switzerland now face added strain after Trump said Iran was “FINISHED” and would get no money from the deal, which set a 60-day negotiation window and required Hormuz to stay open without tolls.
The breakdown deepens pressure on an accord already under bipartisan scrutiny over sanctions relief, $300 billion for Iran’s reconstruction and concerns about Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
With Israel outside the pact, is the new US-Iran deal already collapsing over the escalating war in Lebanon?
Can inspectors verify Iran's nuclear promises after years of being locked out of its atomic program?
As conflicting claims roil energy markets, what prevents the Strait of Hormuz from igniting a wider regional war?
Strait of Hormuz Blocked: 2026 Crisis Disrupts 25% of Global Oil, Triggers Worldwide Supply Chain Turmoil
Overview
On June 20, 2026, Iran declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz just as high-level talks with the United States were set to begin, creating immediate volatility and uncertainty in the region. This move came amid escalating conflict across the Middle East, marked by indiscriminate attacks attributed to Iran and ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon. The violence has resulted in over 2,000 Lebanese deaths and displaced more than a million people, highlighting how regional instability and aggressive actions can quickly disrupt critical global trade routes and trigger widespread humanitarian and economic consequences.