Iran has said it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US naval blockade remains in place, calling it a “blatant violation” of the two countries’ ceasefire.
Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said a full ceasefire only makes sense if the blockade is lifted. Qalibaf said in a post on X
that reopening the strait was impossible under what he called a flagrant breach of the ceasefire.
The Revolutionary Guards seized two vessels for maritime violations and escorted them to Iranian shores. They also warned that any disruption to order and safety in the strait would be considered a “red line.”
Iran’s seizure of the ships in the Strait of Hormuz marked a tightening of control over the strategic waterway after US President Donald Trump called off attacks, with no sign of peace talks restarting. It was the first such seizure since the war began at the end of February.
Meanwhile, US Central Command said late Wednesday that it had “directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port” as part of its own “blockade against Iran.”
On Tuesday night, US President Donald Trump announced an extension to the US-Iran ceasefire that was due to expire on Wednesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that Trump’s extension is open-ended, with no new deadline. She added that Trump is satisfied with the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran and believes Iran is in a very weak position.
(File Photo: Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker)
