Iran warns it is closing Strait of Hormuz and threatens any ships using the waterway

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:07, 20 June 2026 | Updated: 15:26, 20 June 2026 Iran has said it is closing the Strait of Hormuz, just days after it signed a ceasefire deal with the US. The Islamic Republic warned all vessels not to approach the shipping lane, which plays a vital role in global trade, and blamed continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon.  Citing a US 'breach of contract' and Israel's 'continuous and relentless violation of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon', Iran's central military command announced Saturday 'that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic'.  It warned all ships that their security would be at risk if they attempted to traverse the strait, through which some 20 per cent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas travels each year.  It comes after US President Donald Trump said ships had begun transiting the strait after the interim agreement with Iran was signed earlier this week. A statement on Iranian state television added that 'if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned.' Minutes later, the state broadcaster said the country's negotiating team was still heading to Switzerland, a trip that was originally planned for Friday but was cancelled. It comes just hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah - Iran has demanded since the beginning of negotiations that Lebanon be included in any ceasefire. The Islamic Republic warned all vessels not to approach the shipping lane, which plays a vital role in global trade, and blamed continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon Israeli airstrikes have taken place across southern Lebanon since midnight, with intense bombardments targeting the city of Nabatieh and its surrounding areas A rescue worker searches for survivors under rubble in Qannarit village, southern Lebanon, on Saturday Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagahei, has signalled that little might happen until Iran feels the US is living up to the deal. 'This trip is therefore about demanding that the other side fulfill its obligations,' he said, adding that negotiations toward a final agreement will begin only once key commitments, including an end to fighting in Lebanon, are upheld. 'If any part of these understandings, any part of these commitments, is not implemented, then the memorandum of understanding as a whole will be jeopardized,' Bagahei said. The new threats from the Iranian regime come after Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon continued on Saturday and killed at least 16 people, including two children, hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire agreement.  Seven people remained trapped under the rubble after the strikes hit the southern town of Nabatiyeh and nearby villages, Lebanon's National News Agency said. Mediators were scrambling to halt the fighting between Israel and the militant Lebanese Hezbollah group, after heavy exchanges on Friday killed at least 83 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers. An Israeli military official said Hezbollah had fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight, prompting the military to start targeting the militant group there.  The official said it struck dozens of Hezbollah targets and militants in southern Lebanon, including rocket-launching positions and Hezbollah command centers. On Friday, Israeli ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, said on X that Israel 'remains firmly committed to an immediate ceasefire' if Hezbollah honors the agreement and ceases hostilities. On Saturday, Hezbollah said it had committed to the ceasefire but blamed Israel for violating it several times on Friday night. A statement issued by the group's military wing said it would abide by the ceasefire but would also repel attacks by Israeli troops. On Saturday, Lebanese authorities said more than 4,000 people have been killed since the start of the conflict, including 83 on Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously vowed to keep Israeli forces in southern Lebanon until any threat to Israel is eliminated.  Hezbollah has refused to halt its attacks unless Israel commits to withdrawing from Lebanon, which Iran says is also a condition of the interim deal. Iran moved to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz in the hours and days after the US launched its attacks with Israel at the end of February. There have been a series of reports of attacks on and damage to commercial vessels throughout the conflict.  This is a breaking news story and is being updated.  The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. 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