In brief
In a Truth Social post, President Trump said no tolls would be charged on the Strait of Hormuz unless the US itself imposed them if negotiations with Iran break down, framing it as compensation for American security services.
The Iranian armed forces announced they were again shutting the waterway, blaming Israeli violations in Lebanon and US failure to uphold the ceasefire memorandum.
CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins stated Iran does not control Hormuz, that navigation continues normally, and that US forces are monitoring to keep it that way.
Technical-level US-Iran negotiations are due to begin in Switzerland the day after Trump’s post, amid heightened uncertainty over the deal’s completion.
- 20 JunIran announces re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon.
- 20 JunCENTCOM denies Iran’s claim; says traffic flows normally and Iran does not control the strait.
- 20 JunTrump posts on Truth Social threatening US-imposed tolls if the Iran deal collapses.
- 21 JunUS-Iran technical-level talks scheduled to begin in Switzerland.
Trump’s toll threat
President Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday evening that no tolls would be charged on the Strait of Hormuz, unless they were imposed by and for the United States as compensation if an agreement with Iran is not finalised. He described the US as the “Guardian Angel” of Middle Eastern countries and said any fees would cover past, present and future security costs.
“THERE WILL BE NO TOLLS in the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days during the ceasefire period, and THERE WILL BE NO TOLLS after the 60-day period ends, unless imposed by and for the United States of America, should the agreement not be completed, as compensation for services provided as Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East, to cover past, present and future costs. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!! President Donald J. Trump”
Iran’s closure claim
Earlier on Saturday, Iran’s Joint Armed Forces Staff announced the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing what it called clear violations of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and Israeli breaches of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon. Tehran said oil would not flow unless the agreement was respected, accusing Washington of failing to enforce the terms.
US military denial
US Central Command rejected Iran’s assertion. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, told Reuters that Iran does not control the strait, vessel traffic continued normally, and American forces were monitoring the situation.
“Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic continues normally, and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure it stays that way.”
Talks ahead in Switzerland
Negotiations between Washington and Tehran are set to resume at a technical level in Switzerland on Sunday. The talks follow a ceasefire that paused direct hostilities, but mutual distrust persists and the status of the Hormuz passage remains a flashpoint.