Iran said it will not reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as long as a United States naval blockade remains in place, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire between the longtime adversaries.
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said a ceasefire holds no meaning if it is undermined by restrictions at sea. “Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible amid a blatant violation of the ceasefire,” he said.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) earlier announced that its naval forces had seized two container ships attempting to pass through the strait. The vessels were identified as the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas, both of which were redirected toward Iranian waters.
Tensions in the Gulf continue to escalate, with maritime security monitors reporting multiple incidents involving commercial vessels. A United Kingdom-based monitoring group confirmed that at least three ships encountered armed boats near the strait, including one vessel that sustained damage after being fired upon northeast of Oman.
The United States has been attempting to block vessels linked to Iranian ports, while Tehran insists that ships must secure permission before entering or exiting the Gulf through the strait, one of the world’s most critical transit routes, handling a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Despite the ongoing standoff, a second round of talks between United States and Iran could take place within days, according to reports citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
Donald Trump said he is open to further discussions and had extended the ceasefire following a request from Pakistani mediators to allow more time for diplomacy. Iran acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate tensions but did not confirm participation in upcoming talks.
Meanwhile, Iran’s judiciary rejected claims by Trump that Tehran had halted executions of detained protesters, calling the statement “false news” and maintaining that the individuals were never sentenced to death.
The Strait of Hormuz has been largely disrupted for weeks following a major escalation involving the United States and Israel, raising concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security.
