Iran has declared it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as a US naval blockade remains in place, despite an extended ceasefire. The announcement came alongside confirmation that Iranian forces seized two vessels attempting to cross the key shipping route.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said a ceasefire holds no meaning if it is violated through a naval blockade, adding that reopening the strait is not possible under such conditions. He made the remarks after leading Tehran’s delegation in initial peace talks in Islamabad.
Donald Trump stated that the truce would be maintained to allow time for Pakistan-mediated negotiations, although Iran has only welcomed Pakistan’s role without confirming further participation. Talks could resume within days, though uncertainty remains.
Global oil prices continued to rise amid fears of renewed conflict, following earlier strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran that triggered the crisis.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its naval units intercepted and seized two ships in the strait, identifying them as the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas. Panama condemned the seizure as a serious threat to maritime security.
Maritime monitors reported multiple incidents in the area, including a commercial vessel being fired upon by an IRGC boat near Oman, causing damage but no casualties.
The US Navy has been enforcing a blockade on vessels linked to Iranian ports under orders from Washington, aiming to increase economic pressure without escalating into full-scale war. The United States Department of Defense also confirmed it had intercepted a vessel suspected of Iranian links.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced the immediate departure of Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, without providing a reason. The move comes amid broader leadership changes under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Iran has responded to the blockade by requiring vessels to seek permission before entering or leaving the Gulf via the strait, reversing an earlier commitment to allow free passage during the ceasefire.
Separately, tensions remain high in Lebanon despite a US-brokered truce between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli strikes reportedly killed five people, including journalist Amal Khalil, while another reporter was injured.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the death of a second French peacekeeper wounded in an earlier attack blamed on Hezbollah, which has denied responsibility.
Israel and Lebanon are set to hold further talks in Washington, where Lebanon is expected to seek a one-month ceasefire extension and an end to ongoing Israeli military actions.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,450 people since the conflict began.