The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Saturday, June 20, 2026, that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing fighting in Lebanon. This announcement coincides with Iran's foreign ministry sending a diplomatic team to Switzerland for peace talks.
Fighting in Lebanon resumed for a second consecutive day despite a ceasefire agreement. Iran's military command cited the 'bad faith' of the United States and its failure to uphold commitments related to the conflict in Lebanon as reasons for the closure.
A statement from the Guards’ navy confirmed that the strait is closed to all ships, warning that any vessel approaching the area would be at risk. The foreign ministry did not announce the closure but mentioned that its delegation was traveling to Switzerland to discuss the fulfillment of commitments by the U.S.
U.S. Central Command reported a significant number of ships, 55 merchant vessels, had passed through the strait on the day of the closure, transporting large amounts of cargo and over 17 million barrels of oil. The sudden closure may affect shipping companies' decisions regarding navigation through the strait amid concerns about the ongoing conflict.