Latest update June 23rd, 2026 12:40 AM
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- Tehran tells Trump the Strait of Hormuz ‘is not your personal casino’ after new threat
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz
…as Israel continues strikes on Lebanon killing 32
(Al Jazeera) Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday announced it was re-imposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz over Israeli “crimes” in Lebanon and what it called a US violation of commitments to establish a ceasefire.
It warned ship crews not to approach the strategic waterway, saying their security would be at risk if they do.
Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, warned that the flow of energy in the Middle East would halt so long as the US-Iran agreement “remains only on paper”.
The US military, however, said its forces were still operating in the “general area” of the Strait of Hormuz and “remain present and vigilant” to make sure “all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to”.
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, 18th June, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
It said 55 commercial vessels had transited the strait on Saturday and that safe passage was still “intact”.
“Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz,” added US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins.
US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, insisted the strait would remain free of Iranian tolls both during and after the 60-day negotiation period.
But he threatened to impose US tolls on the waterway if no final agreement is reached.
‘Things are moving backwards’
According to Pakistan’s government, Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, as well as Qatari mediators, will join the US-Iran talks on Sunday in the Swiss mountain resort of Burgenstock.
Reporting from there, Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid said there has been a flurry of behind-the-scenes diplomatic activity ahead of the formal negotiations, with Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, already holding meetings.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been holding talks in Egypt, and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei has signalled that progress may be scarce until Iran feels the US is living up to its end of the interim deal.
In comments broadcast by Iran’s IRIB, Baghaei said Iran “must naturally be very firm and serious in demanding fulfilment of obligations”, considering the US’s past “failure to honour commitments”.
Al Jazeera’s James Bays, reporting from Burgenstock, said there are indications “things are moving backwards from when the MoU was signed”, citing Israel’s continued bombardment of southern Lebanon.
“The Iranians see this as a serious breach of the MoU,” he said. “Their first sanction was by not coming here. They have now utilised their best weapon by closing the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran believes this tactic will help get things back on track with regard to southern Lebanon,” added Bays.
Abdulla Banndar al-Etaibi, a professor at Qatar University, said Iran is “applying maximum pressure on President Trump and also the mediators to have Hormuz for Lebanon, basically”.
“They want all fighting to stop in Lebanon for the Strait of Hormuz to be restored,” he told Al Jazeera.
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