(1) LIVE
updated 15 minutes ago
Iran says it has closed Strait of Hormuz over ceasefire breaches in Lebanon
Summary
• Iran said it would close the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, citing what iy called the US non-compliance with a war-ending agreement and renewed violence in Lebanon.
• Switzerland said diplomats from several countries had continued efforts at Bürgenstock to maintain dialogue on implementing the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, but said confidentiality prevented it from identifying those present or discussing the talks.
• Trump said on Saturday Iran had "got away with 'murder' for 47 years" until he took office and had since been "completely defeated militarily," while criticizing Barack Obama and Joe Biden as weak leaders.
• US and Iranian envoys are moving toward Switzerland after a planned Friday meeting was canceled, raising expectations of possible Iran-US talks even as no new date has been announced.
• Lebanon remains a central test for the memorandum, with Iran and Hezbollah saying talks cannot advance without a broader ceasefire and a halt to Israeli attacks.
• The Strait of Hormuz is reopening under Iranian controls, with Iran saying vessels still require seeking permits as shipping monitors lower their threat assessment for the waterway.
• Trump and Vance are defending the deal at home, saying relief can be adjusted based on Tehran’s conduct, while Democrats and Republican hawks remain divided.
(2) 25 minutes ago
US says commercial vessels continue to pass through open Strait of Hormuz
US Central Command said commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased on June 20, with US forces continuing to operate in the area in support of freedom of navigation.l
CENTCOM said safe passage through the international waterway remained intact, with 55 merchant ships transiting the strait during the day and carrying large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.
The statement was released after Iran announced the closure of the strategic waterway.
CENTCOM also cited a Joint Maritime Information Center advisory affirming safe passage for vessels along a designated route “free of arbitrary requirement claims or impediments.”
“U.S. forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect,” the statement said.
(3) 45 minutes ago
IRGC Navy says Hormuz ‘completely closed,’ warns vessels to stay away
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on Saturday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic, citing what it described as US violations of ceasefire commitments and Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
Fars News Agency quoted a military source in the IRGC Navy as saying the strategic waterway had been “completely closed” as of Saturday morning.
In a subsequent statement, the IRGC Navy said the move was a response to “US breaches of commitments in implementing the ceasefire” and “Israeli attacks in Lebanon.”
The force warned all vessels against approaching the Strait of Hormuz, saying their security could be endangered if they ignored the warning.
(4) 1 hour ago
Vance says he expects Switzerland trip for Iran talks within days
US Vice President JD Vance said on Saturday he expected to travel to Switzerland within days for talks with Iran and thatthe negotiations could take place as soon as Sunday.
Vance, speaking to Fox News, saidUS special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were already on the ground for the talks. He said discussions with Iran were going well and that theUnited States would give negotiations a chance.
Vance said he was confident the ceasefire could hold.He also said there was no evidence Iran was closing the Strait of Hormuz, after Iranian military authorities said they would close it to vessel traffic.
"I expect that I will leave sometime in the next couple of days,but you know it's always a delicate coordination dance," Vance said.
(5) 1 hour ago
Iran says it will close Strait of Hormuz to shipping
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said on Saturday it would close the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic,citing what it called US failure to implement the first clause of an agreement to end the war.
It also cited what it called Israel's continued breaches of a ceasefire in southern Lebanon and failure to withdraw from southern Lebanese territory.
The headquarters said the closure was the "first step" in Iran's response towhat it called enemy breaches of commitments. It said further steps would follow if attacks continued.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202606208803