{"id":1995,"date":"2026-06-21T01:47:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T01:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/?p=1995"},"modified":"2026-06-21T01:47:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T01:47:15","slug":"strait-of-hormuz-closing-again-irgc-announces-as-us-central-command-says-commercial-traffic-has-increased","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/?p=1995","title":{"rendered":"Strait of Hormuz closing again, IRGC announces \u2014 as US Central Command says commercial traffic has \u2018increased\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<header id=\"masthead\" class=\"site-header has-sub-nav headroom headroom--not-top headroom--not-bottom headroom--pinned\" role=\"banner\" data-component=\"siteHeader\">\n<div class=\"site-header__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"site-header__subnav\" data-component=\"sectionSubNav\" data-testid=\"worldNewsNav\">\n<div class=\"site-header__subnav-container\">\n<div class=\"section-subnav\">\n<div class=\"section-subnav__outer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"section-subnav__inner-wrapper\">\n<ul id=\"menu-us-news-subnav-1\" class=\"section-subnav__menu section-subnav__menu--horizontal\">\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-taxonomy menu-item-object-section current-article-ancestor current-menu-parent current-article-parent current-menu-item menu-item-34010714 nypost-menu-object-id--423852409\"><a id=\"menu-link-83\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/world-news\/\" data-ga4-event=\"{&quot;event_name&quot;:&quot;ux_engagement&quot;,&quot;source_unit&quot;:&quot;U.S. News Subnav&quot;,&quot;source_position&quot;:&quot;World News&quot;}\">World News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"search search--header search--header-dropdown\" data-search-header=\"search\" data-component=\"searchForm\"><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"site-content\" data-ad-skin=\"false\"><main id=\"main\" class=\"site-container site-container--bg\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"single single--article single--exclusive-article-disabled\">\n<div class=\"layout layout--sidebar\">\n<div class=\"layout__grid layout__grid--gap-30\">\n<div id=\"layout-item-main\" class=\"layout__item layout__item--main\">\n<div class=\"layout__inner\">\n<div class=\"single__content entry-content m-bottom\">\n<p>It\u2019s an open and shut case.<\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it was shutting down the Strait of Hormuz Saturday, even as US Central Command touted an increase in commercial traffic along the critical waterway.<\/p>\n<p>About 55 merchant ships traveled safely through the corridor, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil as safe passage remained intact on Saturday, according to CENTCOM.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cU.S. forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect,\u201d the military command center added, referencing the new Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39738600\"><\/button><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-39738600\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?w=1024\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 5760w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=768,512&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=662,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-shows-strait-hormuz-near-131636216.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" alt=\"Many ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, Oman, with mountains in the background.\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"39738600\" \/><figcaption>The Strait of Hormuz is closing again on Saturday, Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard Corps announced.<span class=\"credit\">ZUMAPRESS.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said, \u201cThe strait is open and the U.S. blockade against Iran has ceased.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That assessment came hours after the IRGC announced it was closing the strait, putting the delicate agreement \u2014 a 14-point MOU that centered on the immediate reopening of the passageway \u2014 in peril.<\/p>\n<p>Amid the conflicting reports, top US and Iranian officials were headed to Geneva, Switzerland, for a new round of technical talks expected to get underway on Sunday.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<div class=\"inline-module inline-module--more inline-module--trending inline-module--more--thirds\" data-source-unit=\"Explore More - Trending\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The IRGC warned the strait\u2019s closure was a result of renewed fighting in Lebanon despite a Friday US brokered cease-fire between Israel and the terror group Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is hereby announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic; It is noted that this first step is a response to the enemy\u2019s breach of promise, and if the aggression continues, further steps will be planned and taken to force the enemy to comply with its obligations,\u201d the IRGC\u2019s military headquarters said in a statement on state TV.<\/p>\n<p>Israel said it struck Lebanon Saturday in response to dozens of projectiles fired by Hezbollah. One strike on a three-story building in the Tyre district killed a father, mother and two children, according to a town official.<\/p>\n<p>The Israeli military said four Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed overnight into Friday in an attack by the terror group in southern Lebanon, and five IDF soldiers were wounded hours later.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39738616\"><\/button><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-39738616\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?w=1024\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 4032w, 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314w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=306,204&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 306w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=280,187&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=260,174&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 260w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=246,164&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 246w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=234,156&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 234w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=195,130&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 195w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=180,120&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 180w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=171,114&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 171w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=160,107&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 160w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=144,96&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 144w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=107,71&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 107w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=93,62&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 93w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=84,56&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 84w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=60,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=662,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/smoke-rises-southern-lebanon-following-131628403.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" alt=\"Smoke rises in southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike.\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"39738616\" \/><figcaption>Smoke rises in southern Lebanon following Israeli strike after a senior Israeli official told Reuters on Friday that Israel and Hezbollah were in a ceasefire.<span class=\"credit\">REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Israeli airstrikes against what it said were Hezbollah targets in Lebanon killed at least 16 people Saturday, just hours after the new truce went into effect, according to Lebanese Civil Defense<\/p>\n<p>The fighting in Lebanon poses a threat to talks with Tehran, which are charged with resolving difficult issues around Iran\u2019s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, frozen assets and reconstruction of Iran within a 60-day cease-fire window.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement also calls for an end to hostilities, \u201cincluding in Lebanon,\u201d although neither Israel nor Hezbollah are parties to the deal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy understanding is that it is the Iranian way to make America nervous, and they will do [close the strait] in the future till it will be understood that America might retaliate severely,\u201d former Israeli National Security Adviser Major Gen. Yaakov Amidror, a fellow at the The Jewish Institute for National Security of America, told The Post.<\/p>\n<p>There were 25 commercial ships that made it through the strait Thursday, a record since April but well below a pre-war average of 120, according to AXS Marine data.<\/p>\n<p>Traffic was also reportedly flowing early Friday, prior to the skirmishes breaking out in Lebanon. The IRGC threatened mariners late Friday not to enter the strait \u2014 and has vowed to start collecting tolls on vessels \u2013 \u00a0urging them not to enter the strait over the US\u2019s violation of Wednesday\u2019s MOU.<\/p>\n<p>Trump posted that there would be \u201cNO TOLLS\u201d in the strait unless imposed by the US \u201cshould the deal not be completed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That deal stipulates that Iran would open the strait \u2014 which has been closed since the<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Morning Report\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__icon\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>war broke out on Feb. 28 \u2014 in exchange for the US lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.<\/p>\n<p>Vice President JD Vance told Fox &amp; Friends Saturday morning that there was no evidence the strait was closed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe actually got 16 million barrels of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, that is a record,\u201d he said. \u201cSo you\u2019re seeing those ships move.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vance also confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner were \u201con the ground\u201d in Switzerland for technical talks as part of the next steps with the Iranian regime.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-nyp-editor-universal-promo\">\n<div class=\"upb-content-wrapper\">\n<section class=\"upb-content upb-carousel\" aria-label=\"Carousel\" aria-roledescription=\"UPB: Knicks Playoffs 2026\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-interval=\"10000\">\n<div class=\"upb-carousel__viewport\">\n<ul id=\"upb-slide-wrapper\" class=\"upb-carousel__track\" role=\"list\">\n<li class=\"upb-slide upb-slide-1\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"Year of the Knicks cover\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\">\n<div class=\"upb-slide__panel\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>They were expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammd Bagher Ghalibar, a former IGRC general.<\/p>\n<p>Vance, who was expected to join them after flying to Geneva on Saturday, said talks with Tehran \u201care always a little bit in flux\u201d but added that \u201cthe United States has all the cards.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"comments-inline-cta\" data-comment-count=\"\" data-prompt=\"What do you think?\"><\/div>\n<p>Pakistani\u2019s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi remains in Switzerland with plans to liaise with Iranian officials. Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani of Qatar, a country that has served in a mediating role and holds frozen Iranian assets, is also there.<\/p>\n<p>Switzerland\u2019s foreign ministry said the luxurious Burgenstock resort above Lake Luzerne continues to be a \u201cdiscreet and reliable setting\u201d for talks.<\/p>\n<p>With talks set to kick off Sunday, President Trump ripped into his predecessors, Barack \u201cObuma\u201d and \u201cSleepy Joe Biden,\u201d over their handling of Iran, while defending his own pact with the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIran got away with \u201dmurder\u201d for 47 years, until I came along,\u201d he posted to Truth Social. \u201cThen it all changed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"single__footer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>World News It\u2019s an open and shut case. Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it was shutting down the Strait of Hormuz Saturday, even as US Central Command touted an increase&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1995"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1996,"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995\/revisions\/1996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanitystories.pics\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}