Britain's Starmer, In Call With Trump, Speaks Of Need To Restore Hormuz Shipping
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on April 9 spoke with US President Donald Trump on the need to formulate a plan to restore shipping "as quickly as possible" through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, Downing Street said.
"They agreed that now there is a cease-fire in place and agreement to open the strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution," the statement said, adding that the call took place while Starmer was in Qatar during a three-day visit to region.
"The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible," Downing Street said. Starmer discussed Britain's efforts to organize partners to form to a "viable plan" on restoring freedom of navigation in the waterway, it said.
During his visit to the Gulf, Starmer rejected the possibility that Tehran could charge for letting ships use the vital Strait of Hormuz.
"Our position is 'open' means open for safe navigation," he told British TV. "That means toll-free navigation and vessels can get through," he added.
Some 20 percent of global supplies of oil and gas transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked, creating a bottleneck of traffic and a worldwide energy crunch.
Starmer said during his Middle East trip that Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon were "wrong." He also criticized Trump's use of threats, saying that he would "never use" such a threat as "a whole civilization will die tonight."
He also condemned Iran for its retaliatory attacks on Gulf states, often targeting oil and natural gas facilities and US-linked military sites.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his frustration with Starmer after he refused a US request to use UK bases for offensive strikes against Iran, although the prime minister later gave permission to use select bases for defensive operations.
US Military: Dozens Of Ships Transited Strait Of Hormuz
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that dozens of merchant ships had transited the Strait of Hormuz on June 20, following an announcement by Iran's military command of the waterway's closure.
"Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets," CENTCOM wrote on X.
"US forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect," it added.
The statement was posted as Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the decision had been taken to close the Strait of Hormuz once again in response to Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon despite the truce announced earlier.
The conflicting reports came a day after the United States and Lebanon announced that the next round of Lebanese-Israeli talks would be held next week in Washington after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
US President Donald Trump earlier said Washington would be able to keep Israel from renewing attacks inside Lebanon, citing his "good" relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and saying that he believed the United States could keep him "sane."
Iran Announces Closure Of Strait Of Hormuz
Iran's military command says it is closing the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic in response to continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon.
In a June 20 statement carried by the state broadcaster IRIB, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the decision was taken in response to "blatant bad faith and breach of agreement by the United States" in implementing the first article of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, as well as "Israel's continued violation of the cease-fire in southern Lebanon."
The statement also pointed to the continued presence of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, describing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the "first step" in Iran's response to what it called "the enemy's breach of the agreement."
The military command also warned that further measures to compel the other side to fulfill its commitments would be put on the agenda should what it termed "aggression" continue.
Speaking to Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance said "there's no proof" Iran has closed Strait of Hormuz in response to cease-fire violations in Lebanon.
Hours before the statement was issued, Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), ran a front-page commentary addressing Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in response to reports that he might travel to Switzerland to meet with an American delegation. Given the ongoing fighting in Lebanon, the piece argued, "a meeting with Witkoff is not justified" and that Hormuz "must be closed."
US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly traveling to Switzerland to meet Araqchi as part of a 60-day process to clinch a permanent deal to end the war.
Vance said he expects to travel to Switzerland himself for the talks. If he does, Iranian parliament speaker and lead negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf will also likely head to Switzerland.
Israeli strikes on various parts of Lebanon on June 20 -- just hours after a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah was declared -- left at least 10 people dead, and the continued fighting has cast doubt over the announced truce.
Switzerland Says Iran-US Talks Continue
The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced that talks on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States are continuing in Burgenstock.
The ministry announced on June 20 that Switzerland continues to provide a "confidential and trustworthy space" to facilitate these talks, and that no further information will be released due to the confidentiality of the negotiations.
In the brief statement, Switzerland declined to provide details about the participants or the content of the talks.
Early on June 20, Axios reported that Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had departed for Switzerland.
It was previously reported that the escalation of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in recent days had caused the cancellation of a planned trip to Switzerland by US Vice President J.D. Vance, raising doubts about the future of the talks.
The Axios website reported on June 20 that Witkoff is traveling to Switzerland to join Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is currently in the country, and that Araqchi is also scheduled to arrive in Switzerland on June 20. Developments could indicate that the two sides are ready to begin technical talks aimed at reaching a more lasting agreement.
A senior US official told the news agency that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was brokered by the US and Qatar, with the help of Iran.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on Lebanon resumed on June 20, just hours after a cease-fire with Hezbollah took effect, killing at least 10 people. Israel claims the attacks were in response to rocket and missile launches by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is both a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, although the European Union has only blacklisted its armed wing.
Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, responded to these reports by publishing an unsigned note as its headline, addressing Araqchi: "Given the ongoing conflicts in Lebanon, the meeting with Witkoff is not justified; you must close the Strait of Hormuz."
Iran Under Pressure To Act As Fighting In Lebanon Continues
A wave of Israeli strikes that killed dozens of people in southern Lebanon this week has exposed a deepening rift inside Iran's political establishment, with hard-liners demanding that Tehran respond to what they call a blatant violation of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The interim agreement was announced on June 15 after it was signed electronically following talks mediated by Pakistan. It was then signed, remotely, by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart, Masud Pezeshkian, on June 17.
The agreement's first clause calls for an end to the fighting "on all fronts, including Lebanon." Instead, Israeli air strikes killed at least 47 people, including a soldier, according to Lebanese health authorities, while Hezbollah said its fighters killed four Israeli soldiers in clashes near the Ali Taher hill, claiming to have destroyed three tanks.
Iran-backed Hezbollah, a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing but not its political branch.
Israel retaliated with strikes on the Bekaa Valley, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir declaring that "all of Lebanon must burn."
The violence forced the postponement of a high-level Iran-US meeting in Switzerland on June 19 to begin talks on a permanent deal, and prompted France to publicly urge Washington to "exert all necessary pressure" on Israel to respect the agreement.
To read the full report, click here.
Iran Imposes Insurance Requirement On Vessels In Strait Of Hormuz
Iran has reportedly imposed a mandatory insurance requirement on all vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, in what maritime industry observers see as the first step toward a broader regime of fees and regulatory controls over shipping through the strategic waterway.
According to Lloyd's List Intelligence -- a leading provider of maritime shipping data and vessel-tracking intelligence -- vessels entering the strait must now obtain coverage through an Iranian-approved insurance scheme administered by the newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority.
Lloyd's List reported on June 19 that the insurance is currently being provided without charge during the 60-day implementation period linked to the recent Iran-US memorandum of understanding, but industry sources expect transit-related charges to follow.
The report said the measure forms part of Iran's effort to establish a new framework for managing navigation through Hormuz after the recent conflict disrupted shipping and left parts of the waterway subject to restrictions and safety concerns.
Maritime lawyers and shipping executives told Lloyd's List that the insurance requirement raises questions about compliance with international maritime law and could effectively function as a transit levy if fees are introduced later.
Shipowners and insurers are closely monitoring developments because any additional costs or regulatory burdens in the Strait of Hormuz could have significant implications for global trade and energy markets.
"Fees are likely to follow," Lloyd's List reported, citing industry expectations regarding the new regime.
Pakistani Interior Minister En Route To Tehran For Talks
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is traveling to Tehran today for meetings with high-level officials, according to Iranian state media.
The official news agency IRNA reported that Naqvi would be holding talks as part of ongoing attempts to resolve the US-Iran war.
"The Pakistani Interior Minister's visit to Tehran comes as part of Islamabad's ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding Iran-US talks. Naqvi is scheduled to meet and hold talks with his Iranian counterpart as well as our country's Foreign Minister," Iran's Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei was quoted by IRNA as saying.
Sunni Prayer Leader Calls For Halt In Executions
Maulvi Abdul Hamid, an influential Sunni Friday Prayer leader in Zahedan, condemned the rise in executions in Iran and called on the authorities to stop the executions and the seizure and confiscation of the property of protesters.
Speaking during Friday Prayers on June 19, Hamid said that a large number or prisoners have been sentenced to death. He added that "most Iranians" view executions as political in nature, even when carried out on charges such as drug crimes.
Hamid called for the removal of "corrupt, incompetent, and extremist" officials and the transfer of judicial responsibilities to "capable, conscientious, and moderate" individuals. He also emphasized that implementing justice among ethnic groups and religions, respecting women’s rights, ensuring civil liberties, and reforming domestic and foreign policies in line with the interests of the people are essential to achieving a "prosperous and good Iran."
Hamid also welcomed the recent memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, saying he believed it "benefited the Iranian people." He said people were happy with the signing and the possibility of sanctions being lifted and Iranian assets being unfrozen but that they were concerned corruption would prevent people from benefiting from these resources.
Trump Heads To Camp David Amid Uncertainty Over Iran Talks
US President Donald Trump will spend the weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat as efforts to reach a final deal with Iran face uncertainty.
A White House official said Trump will hold political and policy meetings during the trip, which is only his second visit to Camp David since returning to the White House. He will also be accompanied by members of his family.
The trip comes at a time when talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland scheduled for June 19 have been postponed following the escalation of fighting in Lebanon, and the timing of the resumption of talks remains unclear.
The negotiations are key to finalizing an agreement aiming to end the war with Iran and pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.
Trump defended the interim deal with Iran, writing on his social media platform Truth Social on June 19: "We didn't negotiate out of desperation, Iran did. They're done. We'll go through 60 days. They won't get any money, not even ten cents."
Camp David, located in Maryland, has traditionally been the venue for important political and diplomatic meetings between US presidents, but during his presidency Trump has preferred to spend weekends at his personal residences in Florida and New Jersey.
US-Iran Talks Face Early Test In Switzerland
BURGENSTOCK, Switzerland -- What was supposed to be the first face-to-face technical engagement between the US and Iran after their surprise memorandum of understanding (MOU) has instead become an early test of whether the fragile diplomatic opening can survive the pressures of a wider regional war.
The talks, expected to take place at Switzerland’s Burgenstock resort with Qatar and Pakistan helping facilitate, were abruptly postponed on June 19, just hours after senior officials had begun signaling to reporters that the meeting was expected to go ahead.
Then the plans unraveled.
Vice President JD Vance, who had been expected to lead the US delegation, delayed his trip.
Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the talks were off -- at least for now.
And Iran declared there was “no urgency” for immediate engagement, arguing the initial memorandum had already been digitally signed and that the next phase would depend on the implementation of agreed terms.
The message from all sides was deliberate: This is a delay, not a collapse.
Read the full report here.
Iranian Artist Marjane Satrapi Honored At Paris Memorial
Iranian-born author Marjane Satrapi, who wrote the hit graphic novel Persepolis, was laid to rest on June 19 in Paris amid tributes honoring her work.
Her graphic novel was later adapted into a Cannes-winning animated film. Known for her wit, provocative and irreverent storytelling, and outspoken positions on human rights, Satrapi was buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery amid commemorations from international artists.
