Iran refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while a US naval blockade persists, seizing two commercial ships as regional tensions simmer despite a ceasefire extension.
TEHRAN: Iran has vowed not to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz as long as a US naval blockade remains in place. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that a complete ceasefire is meaningless if violated by such a blockade.
“A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade,” Ghalibaf said. He led Tehran’s delegation in initial peace talks brokered by Pakistan.
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards announced the seizure of two vessels in the strait. They identified the ships as the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas.
Panama’s foreign ministry confirmed the seizure of the MSC Francesca. It called the action a serious attack on maritime security and an unnecessary escalation.
UK-based maritime security monitors reported three commercial vessels had incidents involving gunboats. One container ship reported being fired upon, causing damage to its bridge.
The US Navy is attempting to block vessels heading to or from Iranian ports under orders from President Donald Trump. This aims to pressure Iran’s economy without resuming all-out war.
Trump said he would maintain a truce to allow more time for Pakistani-brokered peace talks. He suggested talks could resume within days, though Iran has not confirmed participation.
Iran welcomed Pakistan’s efforts but made no further comment on Trump’s announcement. The judiciary also dismissed Trump’s claim about halting executions as false news.
Oil prices continued inching up due to uncertainty over a return to war. US stock prices, however, gained ground amid the fragile truce.
In a related development, the Pentagon announced the immediate departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan. No reason was given for his sudden exit.
Meanwhile, violence flared in Lebanon despite a separate US-brokered truce between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli strikes killed five more people, including journalist Amal Khalil.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a second French soldier died from wounds sustained in a weekend ambush. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for attacking UN peacekeepers.
Israel and Lebanon are set to hold a second round of talks in Washington. A Lebanese official said the delegation will request a one-month ceasefire extension.
The official also said Lebanon will seek an end to Israeli bombing in areas where it is present. Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 2,450 people since the war began.
