Iran has once again announced its decision to tighten control over the Strait of Hormuz, re-closing the vital shipping lane.
This move comes in direct response to what Tehran describes as a continued US blockade of Iranian ports, reversing an earlier decision to reopen the strait earlier today.
Tehran has vehemently labelled the ongoing blockade as a violation of the existing ceasefire agreement between the two nations. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared that Iran’s navy stands ready to inflict “new bitter defeats” upon its adversaries.
Amidst these heightened tensions, at least two vessels have reported being struck by gunfire while attempting to navigate the narrow passage.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump addressed reporters at a White House press conference, stating that “very good conversations are going on” between the United States and Iran.
President Trump also specifically addressed the threats related to the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Iran could not “blackmail us” with such actions.
He concluded his remarks by indicating, “We will have some information by the end of the day. We’re talking to them.”
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported receiving information about a container ship being hit by an unknown projectile. This incident occurred 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to some containers on board, though no immediate casualties were reported.
The UKMTO had previously stated that a tanker was fired at in the same general area.
These maritime incidents follow a recent convoy of eight tankers transiting the narrow passage, which had been noted as the first major movement of ships since the US-Israeli war on Iran began seven weeks prior.
On the diplomatic front, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, confirmed on Saturday that no date has been set for the next round of Iran-US peace talks, which are brokered by Pakistan. This follows the failure of an initial round.
Speaking on the sidelines of an annual diplomatic forum in Turkey’s Antalya province, Khatibzadeh stated, “Until we agree on the framework, we cannot set a date.” He expressed hope that finalising that framework would allow for progress to the next step.