Iran claims Hormuz closed as US-Iran teams head to Switzerland

Saturday, June 20, 2026Confirmed

World Desk

What we know

Iran’s military command said Saturday it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again over Israeli strikes in Lebanon and what it called a U.S. breach of the interim war-ending memorandum of understanding. U.S. Central Command rejected Tehran’s claim of control, saying commercial traffic continued to flow.

The dispute shadowed technical talks Pakistan said would open Sunday at Bürgenstock, Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance left for Switzerland Saturday evening as an Iranian delegation led by parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf arrived; Qatari and Pakistani mediators are joining. President Donald Trump threatened to impose U.S. tolls in the strait if a final deal is not reached within 60 days.

What's confirmed

IRGC/joint command: Hormuz closed or restricted; crews warned of risk (AP/Al Jazeera/Euronews).
CENTCOM Capt. Tim Hawkins: Iran does not control Hormuz; 55 merchant ships and more than 17 million barrels of oil transited Saturday (AP/Euronews/Al Jazeera).
Trump: U.S. toll threat if no final deal in 60 days; MoU window is toll-free (AP/Euronews).
Travel: Vance departed; Iranian team (Qalibaf, FM Abbas Araghchi and others) in Switzerland; Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir also en route (AP/Al Jazeera/CNN).
Friday talks postponed after Iran skipped amid Lebanon fighting; Sunday restart mediated by Qatar and Pakistan (Al Jazeera/AP).

What's still developing

Whether Sunday Burgenstock sessions produce working groups on nuclear, sanctions, Hormuz, and Lebanon.
Whether Lebanon deconfliction holds enough for Iran to ease Hormuz pressure.
Oil-market and insurer reaction to the closure claim versus continued Saturday traffic.

Sources

AP News — Talks expected Sunday as Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over Israeli attacks in Lebanon link
Al Jazeera — US-Iran talks to kick off Sunday in Switzerland, says Pakistan link
Euronews — Trump threatens Hormuz tolls as ships sail on despite IRGC closure claim link
CNN — Iran and US make opposing claims on Strait of Hormuz ahead of talks link
Reuters — US disputes Iranian claims about closing Strait of Hormuz as negotiators head to Switzerland link