The Strait of Hormuz passage is caught in a “Rashomon” of conflicting claims.
On June 20, President Trump posted on his social media platform, “Real Social,” saying, “During the ceasefire, no tolls will be charged at the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days; after that period, there will be no tolls unless they are imposed by the United States and used for its benefit—provided no agreement is reached, as compensation for America’s role as the ‘guardian angel’ of Middle Eastern nations, covering past, present, and future costs.”
According to the previously published U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding from Iranian state media and U.S. officials, the terms regarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz clearly state that Iran will make every effort to arrange free and safe passage for commercial ships between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman within 60 days. After that, the management system for the strait will be established through dialogue between Iran and Oman, and in consultation with other Gulf states.
On June 20, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced that under the follow-up arrangements of the U.S.-Iran MOU, technical-level talks will take place on June 21, 2026, in Switzerland.
As of now, Iran’s negotiating delegation has arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, and is en route to the meeting venue in the Bürgenstock area. U.S. Vice President Vance has also started his trip to Switzerland, preparing to participate in the U.S.-Iran technical-level talks on June 21.
Earlier, on June 20, Iran’s military declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing the U.S. failure to restrain Israel and violations of the MOU.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency on June 20, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of Iran’s Armed Forces issued a statement that same day, saying that given the U.S. has failed to fulfill its first commitment under the MOU to end the conflict, and Israel’s continued violations of the ceasefire agreement, Iran has decided to close the Strait of Hormuz and ban all vessel traffic.
The statement added that Israel continues military operations in southern Lebanon, causing heavy civilian casualties and displacing hundreds of thousands. Additionally, Israeli forces have not yet withdrawn from relevant areas in southern Lebanon. Due to these circumstances, and the U.S. failure to honor its MOU commitments, Iran has taken this step in response.
The statement called the closure of the Strait of Hormuz “the first step in response to the enemy’s breach and dishonesty.” It warned that if related military actions and “aggressive behavior” continue, Iran will take further measures to force the other side to fulfill its commitments and obligations.
The U.S. Central Command issued a statement on June 20 saying that the Strait of Hormuz was “safe and unobstructed” that day, with an increase in commercial vessel traffic.
The statement noted that 55 commercial ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on June 20, “transporting large volumes of cargo and over 17 million barrels of crude oil to global markets.”
