Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again after brief reopening as US talks falter
Tehran reversed its decision to allow shipping through the strategic waterway, citing continued US blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again after brief reopening as US talks falter
Tehran reversed its decision to allow shipping through the strategic waterway, citing continued US blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Saturday, one day after reopening the vital trade corridor, as tensions with the United States over a fragile ceasefire threatened to reignite conflict in the Middle East.1618
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strait, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil normally transits, would remain closed until Washington lifts its blockade of Iranian ports.1618 Iranian gunboats fired at vessels attempting to pass through the waterway on Saturday, forcing ships to turn back.48 At least two ships reported coming under fire, and shipping data showed no movement through the strait after midnight GMT on Sunday.678
The strait had been declared "completely open" on Friday by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, following a US-brokered 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah.23 But Tehran reversed that decision after US President Donald Trump refused to end a US blockade of Iranian ports that has been in effect since 13 April.6710
Trump accused Iran on Sunday of a "total violation" of the ceasefire and threatened to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran did not accept his terms.567 He wrote on social media: "We're offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don't, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran."56 Trump also announced that US forces had seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, the Touska, after it attempted to breach the US blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.1011
Iran's military said the Touska had been travelling from China and warned it would "soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy."14 Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, said "it is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot."1018
Trump said US envoys would arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening for a second round of peace talks, with a delegation including Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steven Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner.59 But Iranian state media reported Tehran had rejected the talks, citing "excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance" and the ongoing US blockade.914 Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date had been set for new negotiations and criticised Washington's "maximalist" demands.21
The conflict, which began on 28 February with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, has killed thousands and created what analysts describe as the most severe global energy shock in history.138 Oil prices rose more than 5 percent on Monday as the closure persisted, with Brent crude climbing to $95.46 per barrel.15 The current two-week ceasefire is set to expire on Tuesday unless extended.17