Iran reverses Hormuz reopening as Trump threatens renewed strikes

Tehran closed the strategic waterway again after Washington refused to lift its blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz less than 24 hours after announcing the waterway would allow commercial traffic, citing a continued United States blockade of Iranian ports as a violation of ceasefire terms²¹³. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any vessel attempting passage without permission would be considered cooperation with the enemy and targeted¹²¹³.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had announced on Friday that the strait would remain open to commercial vessels during the remainder of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon²³. At least two ships reported being fired upon while attempting to cross on Saturday, and shipping data showed no movement through the waterway after that point⁶⁸.

US President Donald Trump accused Iran on Sunday of a total violation of our ceasefire agreement for firing on ships near the strait⁵⁶. Trump renewed threats to destroy Iran's power plants and bridges unless Tehran accepted his terms, writing on social media: NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!⁵⁶

Trump said US envoys would arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening for renewed negotiations⁵⁶. Iranian state media reported that Tehran had rejected the talks, citing Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade⁹. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, said the two sides remained far apart on nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz⁸.

Trump separately announced that US forces had seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, the Touska, after it refused orders to stop in the Gulf of Oman¹⁰. He said US Marines had taken custody of the vessel after blowing a hole in the engine room¹⁰. Iran did not immediately comment on the seizure¹⁰.

The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran began on 28 February and has killed thousands¹³. The conflict effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil normally transits³⁴. The current ceasefire expires on 22 April unless extended⁴¹².