On June 20, 2026, Iran’s military declared the Strait of Hormuz “closed,” according to a report by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. The closure was attributed to air strikes in Lebanon, described as “America’s blatant breach” of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict.
The announcement from the Iranian military’s operation command appeared on Tasnim’s Telegram account at approximately 9:10 a.m. ET. However, hours before this statement, Iran’s foreign ministry told Tasnim that the strait was “operating normally,” dismissing any closure claims.
In contrast, U.S. Vice President JD Vance assured the public in a live Fox News interview at about 9:30 a.m. that “the straits really are open,” emphasizing ongoing efforts to keep the shipping lanes unobstructed.
Tasnim functions as a semi-official news agency linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its reports typically mirror military or hardline perspectives, rather than a comprehensive government stance.
The conflicting reports lead to renewed uncertainty regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for global oil shipments. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s energy supplies transit through this channel under normal conditions.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
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