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Iran says Hormuz closed; US says flows intact

Iran says Hormuz closed; US says flows intact

London, 20 June (Argus) — The US and Iran issued conflicting accounts of conditions in the strait of Hormuz on 20 June, with Tehran saying it has closed the waterway, while Washington said commercial shipping continues to transit. Iran's claim — carried by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency and citing the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters — said the strait had been closed to vessel traffic in response to continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon following a ceasefire with Lebanese militia group Hezbollah, which it said breached commitments under the recent memorandum of understanding with the US. The headquarters characterised the move as a "first step" and warned further measures could follow if hostilities persist. But US Central Command (Centcom) indicated no disruption to flows, saying 55 merchant vessels transited the strait during the day, carrying more than 17mn bl of oil to global markets. Safe passage through the waterway "remained intact", it said, with US forces operating in the area to support freedom of navigation. No shipping incidents were reported in the region on 20 June. Ship-tracking data also show vessel traffic via the strait of Hormuz continues. The 26,361dwt LPG tanker Pacific Star I continued its passage, and no U-turns were detected as of 23:00 BST (22:00 GMT) on 20 June. Some vessels may have switched off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals, while others may have stopped. The 56,880dwt bulk carrier KSL Qingyang halted earlier on 20 June after almost crossing the strait eastwards, Kpler data show. Some tankers appear to be favouring a southern route closer to Omani shores. The VLCC Angola B , sailing from Zirku Island in the UAE, crossed the strait near Omani waters earlier, but may have switched AIS off afterwards. The ballast VLCC Bahrain Prosperity passed westwards through the strait near Omani shores into the Mideast Gulf on 20 June, according to Kpler data. Two more VLCCs, Monaco Loyalty and Gulf Sunrise , were approaching the entrance to the strait near Oman but may have switched AIS off around the time Tasnim reported the closure, Kpler data suggest. US president Donald Trump has not commented directly on the reported closure of the strait but addressed the issue of tolls in a post on the Truth Social platform, saying there would be no charges during the 60-day negotiating period and none afterwards unless the US chose to impose them if no final deal with Iran is reached. Iranian state media reported that a delegation had arrived in Switzerland ahead of talks with US negotiators, led by vice-president JD Vance. "I think we're going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue," Vance said before boarding his flight. Israel carried out a strike on Hezbollah on 19 June despite the ceasefire, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Israel's foreign ministry accused Hezbollah of "violating the ceasefire and attacking Israeli civilians". By Andrey Telegin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.