Iran Announces Illegal Strait of Hormuz Closure

Just to be clear, the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. It is not under Iran’s jurisdiction. Tehran does not possess the legal authority to unilaterally shut down one of the world’s most important shipping lanes. Any attempt to block or suspend international transit would challenge long-standing principles of freedom of navigation and disrupt global commerce.

The United States and most maritime powers maintain that the right of transit passage reflects customary international law. Despite that legal disagreement, the dominant international view is that Iran cannot lawfully close the Strait to international navigation.

NY Post:

Obama’s treaty did not prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, it simply punted the issue down the road in exchange for cash.

Trump’s agreement has the same vague promises, the same payouts, but with the added twist that Iran can and will take the world hostage by shutting the Strait of Hormuz at will.

On Friday, just days after the signing of the MOU, Iran moved to close the Strait, saying no ships could cross without its permission and suggesting that “insurance fees” must be paid.

This isn’t in violation of the deal.

Point No. 5: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.”

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Why would opening the door for “administration” of a previously free international waterway even be part this agreement?

How is this in any way the “unconditional surrender” Trump described?

The deal contains just one condition Trump previously said was required of Iran.

It’s No. 7: “Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons.”

“Reaffirm” — because that’s what Iran has always claimed.

If they suddenly mean it, it would be a win.

The rest of the 14-point plan is almost entirely about what Iran gets: Immediate sanctions relief on exported oil.

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Protection of Hezbollah from Israeli attack.

And the possibility of a $300 billion reconstruction fund if all goes well with the next round of talks.

No mention of Iran reining in its terror proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen.

No restriction on conventional weapons.

more……

Iran announces Strait of Hormuz closure in response to alleged ceasefire violations in Lebanon

Iran accused the United States and Israel of violating the ceasefire ahead of further negotiations.

By Steven Richards, Just The News, June 20, 2026:

Iran’s military commanders announced on Saturday that the country will close the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that Israel has violated the ceasefire between Iran and the United States that began earlier this week.

“In view of the United States’ bad faith and its clear breach of its commitments by failing to implement the first article of the memorandum ending the war, and in response to the continuous and ongoing violation of the ceasefire by the Zionist regime in southern Lebanon… It hereby announces that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the passage of vessels,” Iran’s joint military command, ​Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters, said in a statement, according to CNN.

Both Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy and U.S.-designated terrorist group, are trading accusations of ceasefire violations as the two sides continue to launch attacks against one another in Lebanon on Saturday, Just the News reported.

The agreement between the United States and Iran to pause the war included a provision which called for a ceasefire on all fronts, which includes the Israeli conflict against Hezbollah. However, Israeli officials have asserted that they are not bound by the terms of the U.S.-Iran MOU, which the country did not sign.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed shortly after the United States announced the agreement that his country would not withdraw from Lebanon as a buffer against Hezbollah, regardless of what terms the U.S. agreed upon with Tehran, Just the News previously reported.