The Iranian Navy warned cargo ships not to approach the Hormuz Strait, threatening possible attacks after previously announcing its closure in response to Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon.
On Saturday, 20 Jun 2026 GMT+7, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy issued a warning to cargo vessels not to approach the Hormuz Strait, after Iran declared the important shipping route closed just hours earlier, citing Israel's violation of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.
Reporters from Iran's national television station (IRIB) said the IRGC Navy broadcast warnings and directly contacted ships in the area, warning that vessels attempting to cross the strait could face naval mines or become targets of naval attacks.
Additionally, IRIB reporters emphasized that maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf is currently "even lighter" compared to just a few hours earlier.
This latest announcement by the Iranian Navy follows an earlier declaration by Iran's Joint Command "Khatam al-Anbiya," the nation's highest military command, announcing the closure of the Hormuz Strait in a statement which said:
"Due to the United States' insincerity and clear violations of obligations, including failure to comply with the first clause of the memorandum of understanding to end the war, as well as ongoing breaches of the ceasefire by the Zionist regime in southern Lebanon... the Command hereby announces the closure of the Hormuz Strait, barring all ships from passing through."
The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities last week, with the first of 14 clauses calling for "an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon."
However, the U.S. sought to deny reports of Iran's closure of the strait. Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News that the Hormuz Strait remains fully open and "we have seen no evidence indicating that Iran has closed the Hormuz Strait."
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Source:cnn