US president Donald Trump has threatened to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz if the deal with Iran is not completed.
His comments, posted to social media platform Truth Social on Saturday evening, came after Iran said it would close the crucial waterway to tankers, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire by the US and Israel.
The US military had said that traffic continued to flow through the Strait and the US is monitoring the situation to ensure that continues.
But Mr Trump took to social media to insist that there should be no tolls during the cease fire period “unless they are imposed by and for” the US “for services rendered as the Guardian Angel” to the Middle East.
Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said earlier on Saturday that the closure was the "first step" in response to what it described as breaches of commitments.
It warned further measures would be taken if the “aggression” continued.
Read MoreDay of chaos in Middle East as Iran peace talks are abandoned and Israel fights Hezbollah
‘I’m the president and you’re not’: Trump’s blunt message to those offering advice revealed
Key Points
- Iran says it will close Strait of Hormuz after alleged ceasefire breaches
- US military denies that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz
- Trump issues warning to Iran if it doesn't sign permanent peace deal
- US envoy heads to Switzerland: reports
- Trump asked Israel to agree to Hezbollah ceasefire, reports say
Iran negotiating team arrives in Zurich
00:31 , Alex WoodwardAn Iranian negotiating team has arrived in Zurich, according to state media IRIB.
The delegation is led by Iranian parliament speaher Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, along with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, national security council deputy scretary Ali Bagheri, and foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
Vice President JD Vance is on his way, and talks are expected to begin Sunday.
Recap: Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after accusing US and Israel of breaching ceasefire
00:00 , Maira ButtIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday after accusing the US and Israel of violating the newly-signed peace deal.
The top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said that the closure was the "first step" in response to what it described as breaches of commitments to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after accusing US and Israel of breaching ceasefire
55 merchant ships transit through Strait of Hormuz, US says
23:30 , Alex WoodwardUS officials have denied that Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian military insists the passage will be closed in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
US Central Command said 55 merchant ships passed through the waterway on Saturday.
“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,” according to a statement.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 20, 2026
Italy’s Meloni delivers savage blow to Trump and questions his popularity in latest attack
23:00 , Brendan RasciusItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a sharp rebuke to President Donald Trump and attacked his popularity on Saturday, intensifying an ongoing feud that erupted during the G7 Summit.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni delivers savage blow to Trump in latest message
JD Vance departs for Switzerland
22:20 , Alex WoodwardUS Vice President JD Vance is on his way to Switzerland where he expects to spend “a day or two.”
“I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue,” he told reporters before boarding a small jet bound for Switzerland
“Those are the two big things that I think we’re to be focused on. I’m sure the Iranians are going to have issues they’d like to discuss as well,” he added.
He claimed “things are actually getting better” and “slowing down” when it comes to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. “The big problem is that you have somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond, and you kind of have a chicken and egg problem where you’ve just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to keep hold, that’s what we’re going to try to do,” he said.
Iran's negotiators arrive in Switzerland for US talks - reports
21:45 , Holly BancroftIran’s negotiating delegation has arrived in Switzerland for talks with the US, the country’s media has reported.
US vice president JD Vance has said that he may be able to get to the European country for a day or two as the countries iron out the details of the peace deal. US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are already there.
The US and Iran had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire while negotiations take place.
Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday declared the Strait of Hormuz shut, appearing to raise the stakes ahead of the talks as both sides seek to advance an interim deal brokered by Pakistan and signed on Wednesday by US.
US President Donald Trump insists there will be no tolls on Strait of Hormuz
21:12 , Holly BancroftUS president Donald Trump has taken to social media platform Truth Social to insist that there will be no tolls on the Strait of Hormuz unless they are imposed by America, after Iran claimed they would close the crucial waterway to tankers.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday evening, Mr Trump said: “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, for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East for the purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement of costs.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter!!! President DJT”.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon reportedly kill 20 people
20:33 , Holly BancroftIsraeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least 20 people on Saturday, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.
Israel said the strikes were a response to projectiles fired overnight by Hezbollah. An Israeli military official said Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, prompting attacks on what the official described as "Hezbollah targets". Lebanon's National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes and drones had struck multiple locations in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah accused Israel of committing hundreds of ceasefire violations, and warned that continued attacks "will not pass without a response".
Row between Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and US president Donald Trump
19:56 , Holly BancroftItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told US President Donald Trump on Saturday to look after his own popularity after he accused his NATO ally of trying to boost her domestic ratings by repairing ties with Washington.
Mr Trump had alleged that Ms Meloni had "begged" him for a photo with her during this week's Group of Seven summit in France. He repeated the assertion on Saturday, misspelling her name as "Gigiorgia" as he posted on his Truth Social platform that "she wants to be friends again in order to get her 'numbers up'".
Ms Meloni responded, posting on Instagram in English: “President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless.”
“My popularity is none of your concern," she added. "I suggest you focus on yours.”
Ms Meloni’s government, which took office in 2022, has seen public approval rise in opinion surveys to around 35 per cent after a steady decline in 2025.
Italys first female prime minister told Mr Trump on Saturday that being his friend has certainly not helped her popularity. Mr Trump repeated earlier criticism of Rome for not allowing the use of US military bases in Italy during the war with Iran that the US and Israel began at the end of February.
Ms Meloni responded: “Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected and that cannot be violated. As long as I am prime minister, Italy remains a sovereign nation.”
JD Vance 'expects to leave' for talks with Iranians in the coming days
19:20 , Holly BancroftUS vice president JD Vance has indicated that he will set off soon for meetings with the Iranians.
Mr Vance, in an interview with Fox News, said he was confident the ceasefire agreed in Washington's 14-point deal with Tehran would hold, and that he had seen no evidence that the strait was closed. "I expect that I will leave sometime in the next couple of days, but you know it's always a delicate coordination dance and the diplomatic protocols," Mr Vance said.
He added that US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff had been in Switzerland "for a few hours, dealing “with some of the technical elements of this negotiation". "My understanding, talking to Jared and Steve this morning, is things are going well," he added.
The Iranian delegation have set off for talks in Switzerland, according to Iran’s state media.
Iran team departs for Switzerland for talks with US
18:39 , Holly BancroftAn Iranian team have departed for Switzerland for talks with the United States, Iranian state media have reported.
The Iranian delegation is being led by chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and included foreign minister Abbas Araqchi as well as senior security, central ban and oil officials, Iranian media said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran would press in Switzerland for a fulfilment of commitments, citing past failures by the other side to honour agreements.
US military denies that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz
18:15 , Holly BancroftThe US military has denied Iran's claims that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, saying the critical waterway remained open.
US Central Command spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told the news agency Reuters that US forces were “monitoring the situation” to ensure that ships could pass.
He said: “Traffic continues to flow, and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case."
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz shut earlier on Saturday and warned ships not to approach the waterway, casting new doubt on the future of a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran meant to pave the way for in-depth peace talks.
Read Trump’s 14 point Iran peace deal in full after US announces signing of agreement
17:58 , Maira ButtNearly four months after the U.S. started its war with Iran, Donald Trump has signed a long-awaited deal to end the war, restore global shipping and resolve an abiding dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Details of a 14 point plan were previously released by US officials, with an official signing ceremony expected to take place in Switzerland on Friday. However, it emerged on Wednesday evening that it had already been signed by the US president and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said any further Israeli attacks on Lebanon would be considered a breach of the terms of the deal. With Israel having continued its strikes on the country’s south, there remain concerns the deal could still fall apart.
James C Reynolds reports:
Read Trump’s 14 point Iran peace deal in full after US announces signing of agreement
Watch: Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over ‘ceasefire violations’ days after Trump deal
17:20 , Maira ButtNetanyahu will try and undermine Trump’s Iran peace plan despite president’s warnings: report
16:50 , Maira ButtIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will likely try to undermine Donald Trump’s deal with Iran, U.S. intelligence officials have reportedly warned the administration.
Current and former U.S. officials told The Washington Post Netanyahu is intent on continuing operations in Lebanon despite an agreement signed by President Trump earlier this week.
The Israeli leader is facing intense political pressure to continue the conflict, that has run in parallel to the joint attacks on Iran he launched alongside the United States in February.
Israel’s Netanyahu will try and undermine Trump’s fragile Iran peace plan: report
Pakistan says follow-up talks between US and Iran set for June 21
16:15 , Maira ButtPakistan's foreign ministry has said on Saturday that follow-up technical-level talks between Iran and the US will be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on 21 June.
It said US and Iranian representatives would participate, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar in order to continue discussions following a ceasefire deal signed this week.
It added in a post on X that Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as mediator as per previous negotiations.
Watch: JD Vance sends warning to Israel as he defends Trump's Iran deal
15:45 , Maira ButtTrump lashed out at Vance telling him, ‘Everyone just needs to copy what I say’ on Iran, book reveals
15:15 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump reportedly raged against Vice President JD Vance last year for not using the boss’s chosen line that American planes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.
“Trump vented to others that Vance hadn’t repeated his own new phrase that Iran’s nuclear program had been ‘totally obliterated,’” according to an excerpt obtained by Politico of the forthcoming Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, from New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
After the June attack on Iran, Vance had mildly undercut Trump in an interview with ABC News.
Josh Marcus reports:
‘Copy what I say’: Trump slammed Vance over Iran, book claims
Israeli strikes kill five people including a child in Gaza
15:01 , Maira ButtIsraeli strikes and gunfire killed at least five people, including a child, in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, health officials said.
Four Palestinians, including two women and a child, in an apartment building in Gaza City, were killed in the Israeli attack, health officials said.
The attack on the building in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City destroyed the apartment and wounded several other people, medics added.
In another incident, Israeli forces shot and killed a woman in Beit Lahiya town further north, said medics.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on either incident.
An October ceasefire may have halted major fighting between Hamas and Israel, but it has failed to end Israeli attacks.
Gaza's health ministry said more than 1,010 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire. Four Israeli soldiers were killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.
US and Israel breached clause one of ceasefire deal, says Iran
14:42 , Alex CroftWe can bring you more on Iran’s claims that it will close the Strait of Hormuz.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the closure comes in response to the “explicit breach of the first clause of the post-war memorandum of understanding by the United States”.
It said it is also due to Israel’s “continuous and ongoing violations of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon”.
Here’s a reminder of what the first clause of the US-Iran MoU stipulated:
The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the current war, declare upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon and other provisions of this paragraph.
You can read the MoU in full here.
Vance: No evidence Iran is closing Strait of Hormuz
14:39 , Alex CroftWe’ve just heard from US vice president JD Vance, who has responded to Iranian claims that they will close the Strait of Hormuz.
There is no evidence that such a closure is being carried out, Vance tells Fox News.
Tehran says it is closing the strait due to alleged violations of a ceasefire agreement agreed earlier this week.
BREAKING: Iran says it will close Strait of Hormuz after alleged ceasefire breaches
14:32 , Alex CroftTehran has claimed it will close the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic, citing alleged violations of a truce agreement by the US and Israel.
Iran's top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the closure was the "first step" in response to what it described as breaches of commitments and warned that further measures would be taken if "aggression" continued.
Watch: Trump says Israel would be 'eviscerated' without him
14:15 , Maira ButtIn pictures: Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue
13:45 , Maira Butt
Israeli strikes kill 10 in Lebanon after truce, with prospect of US-Iran talks unclear
13:15 , Maira ButtIsraeli strikes killed at least 10 people in Lebanon on Saturday, hours after a truce took effect, Israel saying it was reacting to attacks from Hezbollah and the Iran-backed group saying it would not allow Israel "freedom of movement" in Lebanon.
A halt to the fighting in Lebanon is a condition for starting 60 days of US-Iranian talks to resolve disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and other thorny issues key to forging a more durable deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stabilise global oil supplies. It was not clear when those talks might get underway.
Fighting persists in Lebanon despite a ceasefire as the US-Iran deal is under threat
10:22 , Maira ButtIsraeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday killed at least seven people, including two children, hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire agreement. The persistent fighting threatened an interim agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.
Lebanon’s National News Agency said the strikes hit the southern town of Nabatiyeh and nearby villages. At least seven people remained trapped under the rubble, it said.
Mediators were scrambling to halt the fighting between Israel and the militant Lebanese Hezbollah group, after a heavy exchange on Friday killed at least 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers.
Fighting persists in Lebanon despite a ceasefire as the US-Iran deal is under threat
Hezbollah warns it will not allow Israel 'freedom of movement' in occupied Lebananese territory
09:48 , Maroosha MuzaffarHezbollah has warned that it will not allow Israel “freedom of movement” in what it calls occupied Lebanese territory, according to a senior official speaking to Reuters.
The comments come after an Israeli military official said Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight, prompting Israeli strikes on what it described as Hezbollah targets.
Israel said stability for both countries could be achieved if Hezbollah stops violating ceasefire agreements.
Trump's envoy Witkoff and Iranian minister head to Switzerland for talks
08:47 , Arpan RaiUS envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi were both headed to Switzerland for talks, Axios reported, as a ceasefire in Lebanon appeared to revive efforts to turn an interim Iran war pact into a lasting regional deal.
US vice president JD Vance canceled plans on Thursday to travel to Switzerland for the talks, however, amid rising tension in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran.
With the ceasefire in place, Witkoff is heading to Switzerland to join Jared Kushner, president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who is already there, Axios said. Araqchi plans to travel there on Saturday, it added.
The development may signal that both sides intend to begin technical negotiations aimed at securing a permanent truce. The White House did not respond to questions about Witkoff's travel.
Pakistan's interior minister heads to Tehran for meetings on Iran-US talks, Iranian state media says
08:08 , Arpan RaiPakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi has departed for Tehran today for meetings with senior Iranian officials, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.
IRNA said Naqvi would discuss the progress of negotiations between Iran and the United States during his visit, without providing further details.
Trump heads to Camp David
04:05 , Arpan RaiPresident Donald Trump will make a rare trip to Camp David this weekend, returning to the presidential retreat for only the second time since retaking office last year.
Trump will hold policy and political meetings during his visit, a White House official said. His family will travel with him for the weekend, which includes Father's Day on Sunday.
The trip comes as Trump works to secure a final agreement to end the war with Iran and faces scrutiny over a provisional peace deal that critics say grants Tehran too many concessions.
On Friday, Trump continued to defend the deal with Iran, saying Tehran had come to the negotiating table from a position of weakness.
Trump lashed out at Vance telling him, ‘Everyone just needs to copy what I say’ on Iran, book reveals
04:00 , Josh MarcusUS President Donald Trump reportedly raged against Vice President JD Vance last year for not using the boss’s chosen line that American planes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme.
“Trump vented to others that Vance hadn’t repeated his own new phrase that Iran’s nuclear program had been ‘totally obliterated’”, according to an excerpt obtained by Politico of the forthcoming Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, from New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
After the June attack on Iran, Vance had mildly undercut Trump in an interview with ABC News.
“Well, Jon, severely damaged versus obliterated, I’m not exactly sure what the difference is”, Vance said. “What we know is we set their nuclear program back substantially”.
(Intelligence on the strikes at the time reportedly suggested they did not in fact destroy the nuclear program.)
Read on...
‘Copy what I say’: Trump slammed Vance over Iran, book claims
US says Israel-Lebanon talks to be held in Washington next week
03:50 , Arpan RaiThe next round of Lebanese-Israeli talks will be held on 23 June to 25 June in Washington, the US State Department said on Friday following a call between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Lebanese president Joseph Aoun.
Rubio also "reiterated the need to disarm" Hezbollah and reaffirmed US "support for the Government of Lebanon’s efforts to create a fully sovereign Lebanese state that is at peace with all its neighbors," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
Trump's envoy Witkoff and Iranian minister head to Switzerland for talks
03:41 , Arpan RaiUS envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi were both headed to Switzerland for talks, Axios reported, as a ceasefire in Lebanon appeared to revive efforts to turn an interim Iran war pact into a lasting regional deal.
US vice president JD Vance canceled plans on Thursday to travel to Switzerland for the talks, however, amid rising tension in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran.
With the ceasefire in place, Witkoff is heading to Switzerland to join Jared Kushner, president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who is already there, Axios said. Araqchi plans to travel there on Saturday, it added.
The development may signal that both sides intend to begin technical negotiations aimed at securing a permanent truce. The White House did not respond to questions about Witkoff's travel.
Iranian official says country will 'move forward' if the US is serious
03:30 , Rachel DobkinIran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has said his country will “move forward” if the US is serious about respecting the interim peace deal.
“We are ready to move forward step by step, if the other party demonstrates the same seriousness,” Khatibzadeh told Al Jazeera Arabic on Friday.
Watch: JD Vance jokes that he can handle negotiations with Iran after appearing on The View
03:00 , Rachel DobkinPakistan's foreign ministry says leaders will meet to discuss regional security
02:30 , Rachel DobkinPakistan's foreign ministry has said that several leaders will meet in Cairo on Sunday to discuss regional security, according to a statement shared by The New York Times.
The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will be in attendance.
Iran's foreign minister expected to travel to Switzerland
02:00 , Rachel DobkinIran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Switzerland on Saturday, Axios’ Barak Ravid wrote on X, citing a source familiar with the matter.
The source cautioned that plans could change.
US envoy heads to Switzerland: reports
01:40 , Rachel DobkinUS envoy Steve Witkoff is headed to Switzerland, according to multiple reports.
President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is already in Switzerland, a US official told Axios.
Vice President JD Vance was supposed to travel to Switzerland on Friday for talks with Iran, but the trip was cancelled.
“The plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized, and the U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity.
“But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable”, a White House spokesperson previously said.
White House claims Iran peace deal puts 'America First'
Saturday 20 June 2026 00:30 , Rachel DobkinThe White House has framed the interim peace deal it has reached with Iran as a success for the American people.
“Forged through decisive American strength, this agreement ensures Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon, reopens the Strait of Hormuz to free navigation, and puts America First — rejecting the failed policies of appeasement, cash payoffs, and endless wars that have weakened the United States for decades”, the Trump administration wrote in a statement Friday.
The deal also offers Iran a $300 billion reconstruction fund and sanctions relief.
Trump unveils new Air Force One gifted by Qatar: 'A normal president wouldn’t do this'
Friday 19 June 2026 22:30 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump has unveiled the Boeing 747-8, gifted by Qatar, that will serve as the new Air Force One.
“I asked the emir if we could use the brand new 747 that he got”, Trump said of the $400 million plane on Friday at Joint Base Andrews. “A normal president wouldn’t do this...but our country has to be represented properly”.
Trump heads to Camp David for the weekend
Friday 19 June 2026 22:00 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump is heading to Camp David for the weekend.
Camp David, located in Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland, is a country residence for presidents to unwind and host foreign leaders.
Israeli and Lebanese officials to meet in Washington next week: State Department
Friday 19 June 2026 21:02 , Rachel DobkinIsraeli and Lebanese officials will meet in Washington next week, according to the US State Department.
The next round of peace negotiations will take place from Tuesday to Thursday, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Friday.
The statement came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
During the conversation, Rubio emphasized that negotiations with Israel are the only “feasible path to reconstruction, economic recovery, and ending recurrent cycles of violence”, Pigott said.
At least 47 killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon: reports
Friday 19 June 2026 20:30 , Rachel DobkinAt least 47 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon Friday, according to multiple reports that cited the Lebanese Health Ministry.
