Iran has reclosed the Strait of Hormuz, saying it will limit ship traffic so long as the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports. Parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf told state television: “It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot,” underscoring Tehran’s stance that shipping will remain constrained until the blockade ends.
The U.S. military said it forced 23 vessels to turn back as part of its blockade. About 20% of the world’s crude oil and natural gas normally transit the narrow strait, which Iran has effectively sealed to international tankers since the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran in late February.
President Trump cast uncertainty over U.S. intentions as the precarious ceasefire with Iran is set to expire Wednesday, saying the U.S. might “have to start dropping bombs again,” while also suggesting a deal could still be possible.
Indian officials summoned Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi after an incident that reportedly involved gunfire at two Indian-flagged vessels during the brief reopening of the strait. India described “a serious incident of firing on merchant ships” and urged Iran to ensure safe passage for its vessels. The U.K.’s Maritime Trade Operations Centre received a report that two Islamic Revolutionary Guard gunboats fired on a tanker but did not confirm the flag of that vessel.
More than 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on hundreds of ships across the Gulf since the war began. Iran’s National Security Council said the country is “determined to exercise supervision and control over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.”
Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is under strain but, for now, holding. French peacekeeper Florian Montorio was killed in southern Lebanon in what President Emmanuel Macron said appeared to be fire from Hezbollah; the group denied responsibility. Two Israeli soldiers also died over the weekend: Sgt. Maj. Barak Kalfon, killed when his engineering vehicle struck a bomb, and Staff Sgt. Lidor Porat, killed in fighting; several other Israeli soldiers were reported injured.
Public opinion polls indicate most Israelis oppose the ceasefire, with many believing their military was making progress against Hezbollah. The Israel Defense Forces said the day before the ceasefire took effect it had “eliminated” more than 150 Hezbollah operatives and struck roughly 300 military infrastructure sites. Since the start of Operation “Roaring Lion,” the IDF says over 1,800 Hezbollah operatives have been eliminated.
There are signs Pakistan’s capital may host another round of U.S.-Iran talks, though neither Washington nor Tehran has confirmed dates. The White House said talks would very likely be held in Pakistan again after earlier negotiations failed. Islamabad residents flagged clues such as a temporary suspension of public transport posted on social media and tighter controls on movement into and out of the Red Zone, the high-security district with government buildings and embassies. Pakistan has not confirmed dates but says it continues to mediate; Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir traveled to Iran last week as part of those efforts.
Reporting contributions by Eleanor Beardsley in Jerusalem, Durrie Bouscaren in Van, Turkey, Betsy Joles in Islamabad, Diaa Hadid in Colombo, and Kate Bartlett in Johannesburg.