The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that commercial maritime traffic continued through the Strait of Hormuz on June 20, contradicting announcements from Iran that the vital waterway had been closed.
In a statement released on X, CENTCOM indicated that 55 commercial vessels transited the strait on Saturday, carrying large volumes of cargo, including more than 17 million barrels of oil, to global markets.
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“Safe navigation through the international waterway remained uninterrupted today,” the CENTCOM statement read. The command added that US military forces continue to operate in the region to ensure freedom of navigation and to monitor compliance with all aspects of the ongoing agreement with Iran.
Potential US tolls
The CENTCOM update coincided with statements from US President Donald Trump regarding the potential implementation of transit fees for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz if a final diplomatic agreement is not reached with Iran.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 20, 2026
Posting on his Truth Social on Saturday, Trump stated that no tolls would be collected during the current 60-day ceasefire period, nor after it expires, unless the negotiations fail to yield a completed deal.
“There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired, unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed,” Trump wrote.
Iran Announces Closure of Strait of Hormuz
He further noted that if such tolls were implemented, they would serve as reimbursement for past, present, and future costs incurred by the US for providing security in the region, which he described as “services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East.”
Iranian claims of closure
The statements from US officials follow an announcement by Iran’s central military command on Saturday claiming it had closed the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic.
The Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a formal statement, broadcast on Iranian state television, linking the decision to recent Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon. Iranian officials described those strikes as a violation of the preliminary agreement between Tehran and the US.
“It is noted that this first step is a response to the enemy’s breach of promise, and if the aggression continues, further steps will be planned and taken to force the enemy to comply with its obligations,” the Iranian military command stated.
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