Iran Blocks Key Waterway as Peace Talks Begin—Undercutting Its Own Deal

Iran's military announced a closure of the Strait of Hormuz on June 20, 2026, the same day US and Iranian delegations started ceasefire negotiations in Switzerland. The move violates terms Iran itself agreed to discuss—the memorandum explicitly requires reopening the waterway. The US military disputed the closure claim. Analysts see either final bargaining pressure or signals of internal disagreement over the deal.