Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz as Israel‑Lebanon Friction Escalates

Sat Jun 20 2026 19:06:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Iran has announced a renewed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, a move that threatens $600bn of global energy trade.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed after Israel fired on southern Lebanon – a clear signal of Tehran’s anger over the U.S.–Israel‑Iran agreement that promised a reopening. The closure follows a fresh ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that failed to curb hostilities. Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command has confirmed safe passage continues, with 55 merchant ships transiting the strait on Saturday. The blockades add urgency to negotiations in Switzerland, where U.S. officials seek to enforce commitments made in the 14‑point memorandum of understanding.

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz as Israel‑Lebanon Friction Escalates

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed following Israel’s continued attacks on southern Lebanon.

The decision comes after the U.S. and Israel breached an agreement with Tehran that promised the swift reopening of the strategic waterway. Iran labeled Israel’s actions as a breach of the 14‑point memorandum of understanding, which called for an immediate end to all front‑line operations, including in Lebanon.

Around two dozen civilians had been killed by Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon less than 24 hours after a new ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hezbollah. The Iranian statement warned that further steps would be taken if “the aggression continues.”

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade, carrying an estimated 20 million barrels of oil per day in 2025, roughly $600 billion per year. A closure could reverberate through global markets.

Despite the blockade, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that safe passage remained intact and that 55 merchant vessels successfully transited the strait on Saturday. It is unclear whether Centcom’s statement referred to traffic before or after Tehran’s announcement.

The move follows the signing of a preliminary U.S.–Iran agreement aimed at ending the war, with both sides pledging further talks over the next 60 days. Washington has expressed concern that Israeli operations in Lebanon could undermine the peace deal.

In response, U.S. officials planned a trip to Switzerland to pressure Iran into fulfilling its commitments, as Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei noted that the talks would aim to keep “the other side … on its obligations.”

The Iranian freight channel was previously closed after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, rippling through energy markets. That earlier blockade illustrated the tight link between regional conflict and global energy flows.