US denies Iran's claim to have closed Strait of Hormuz over Israeli attacks in Lebanon

Authored by bbc.com and submitted by pakalupapito23
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Further US-Iran talks due on Sunday after conflicting messages on Strait of Hormuz

An Iranian delegation has landed in Switzerland ahead of further talks with the US on Sunday, with JD Vance having departed Washington to attend.

Speaking to reporters before boarding his flight, the US vice-president said he hoped to make progress on "the nuclear issue" and the "Lebanon ceasefire issue".

Iranian state media says the country's delegation, led by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, is there to follow up on the implementation of the existing deal - not to begin the second phase of negotiations.

Agreement on a 14-point deal signed by both sides earlier this week - which aims to end the war and begins a 60-day negotiating period to resolve wider issues, including on Iran's nuclear programme - appears fragile.

Earlier today, Iran's military claimed it was shutting the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. US Central Command said traffic in the waterway had continued.

The existing deal demands an "immediate and permanent" end to fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon. A US official said on Friday that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah had been reached, but the two have continued to exchange fire, each blaming the other for violating the agreement.

US President Donald Trump said there would be "NO TOLLS" in the strait "unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America".

We're now bringing our live coverage to a close, but you can read more in our news story.

Villag3Idiot on June 20th, 2026 at 18:20 UTC »

They can deny it all they want, but the country's oil reserves don't care. 

cstough on June 20th, 2026 at 18:17 UTC »

"nuhhh uuuuh" ladies and gentlemen

freedfg on June 20th, 2026 at 18:17 UTC »

"We have closed the strait of Hormuz"

"Nu-uh"