Iran announced on Saturday that it was tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the vital energy route closed once again. This move came in response to what Iran described as a U. S. blockade of its ports, which it viewed as a breach of the ceasefire. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated that Iran’s navy was prepared to deliver “new bitter defeats” to its enemies. Reports indicated that at least two vessels were fired upon while navigating the strait, prompting India to summon the Iranian ambassador in New Delhi to express its serious concerns regarding attacks on two Indian-flagged ships.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced plans to control the strait, including charging for services related to security, safety, and environmental protection. Iranian state television reported that the U. S. had recently proposed new terms after talks mediated by Pakistan, which Iran was considering but had not yet responded to. There were no signs of direct negotiations between the U. S. and Iran over the weekend, despite President Trump stating discussions would occur.
Iran’s renewed stance created additional uncertainty in the region, raising concerns that oil and gas shipments through the strait might be disrupted again. Trump claimed that the U. S. was engaging in “very good conversations” with Iran, but he affirmed that Iran could not intimidate the U. S. by shutting down the strait. Reports indicated that several merchant vessels had received communications from Iran’s navy declaring that no ships were permitted in the area, countering earlier indications of resumed traffic.
On Friday, Trump had mentioned “some pretty good news” about Iran, but also indicated that fighting might resume if an agreement was not reached by Wednesday when the ceasefire would end. Iran previously announced a temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after a U. S.-brokered 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. However, on Saturday, Iran’s armed forces reinstated strict military control over the strait, citing repeated U. S. violations.
The conflict between the U. S. and Iran escalated on February 28, 2023, following a U. S.-Israeli attack on Iran, leading to a significant increase in oil prices and impacting global markets. Despite initial ship movements, Iran’s deputy foreign minister noted that no date had been set for subsequent negotiations, emphasizing the need for a preliminary agreement prior to any talks.
Amid rising pressure for a resolution, Trump reiterated that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was paramount. He warned he might end the ceasefire unless a long-term deal was established by Wednesday, maintaining that the U. S. blockade would persist.
Last weekend’s dialogue did not yield agreement, and speculation indicated that future discussions might help establish a framework for peace within two months. Meanwhile, oil prices fell by approximately 10%, and despite hopes of resuming maritime traffic, many vessels remained stranded in the Gulf. Additionally, the head of Russia’s state atomic energy company expressed readiness to assist in removing enriched uranium from Iran as the negotiations progressed.
With information from Reuters
