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Strait of Hormuz

Iran warns against US intervention in Strait of Hormuz

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Iran warns

TEHRAN: Iran’s military warned that it would not allow the United States to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz, responding to recent remarks by President Donald Trump about expanding the US role in securing the strategic waterway.

In a statement issued from Tehran, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said U.S. involvement in the Strait of Hormuz had undermined the security of energy transportation through the region.

Zolfaqari said Iran would neither accept nor allow U.S. interference in the administration of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that cooperation by some regional countries with Washington had increased the risk of a broader conflict.

He warned that any country assisting the United States in actions affecting the Strait of Hormuz would be regarded by Iran as participating in a war against the country’s territorial integrity. He also cautioned that any escalation could draw other countries in the region into the conflict.

The comments came after Trump announced plans for the United States to play a greater security role in the Strait of Hormuz and proposed charging transit fees on commercial cargo passing through the vital maritime chokepoint.

Trump announces new Strait of Hormuz security policy

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Trump announces

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said that the United States would assume responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and seek compensation by imposing a 20% transit fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway, while reinstating restrictions targeting Iranian shipping.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the United States would become the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that countries benefiting from the route should help pay for its protection.

Trump accused Iran of violating a previous agreement and said Washington would restore what he described as an Iranian shipping blockade.

Under the proposed policy, he said, only Iranian vessels and their customers would be barred from using the strait, while ships from all other countries would continue to enjoy free passage.

In a subsequent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open “with or without Iran” and reiterated that the United States would protect the vital maritime corridor. He also said all cargo transiting the waterway would be subject to a 20% fee to help cover the costs of providing maritime security.

Trump further claimed that Iran’s naval, air and missile capabilities had been severely degraded in recent hostilities, warning that Tehran would face serious consequences for violating agreements.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, handling a significant share of global oil exports. Any changes to access or security arrangements could have major implications for international energy markets and global trade.

Strait of Hormuz remains open as 55 commercial ships pass safely

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Strait of Hormuz

The situation remains unclear as conflicting claims have emerged regarding maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s announcement of a full closure in response to alleged violations of a ceasefire and ongoing regional tensions involving Lebanon and Israel.

Iranian officials, including representatives from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have stated that the waterway has been closed to all shipping and warned commercial and oil tankers to avoid the area for safety reasons.

The move was described as a response to alleged U.S. non-compliance with agreements and continued Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon.

However, the United States military has not confirmed these claims, and no independent verification has been provided to support a complete shutdown of the strategically vital passage.

The contradictory statements from both sides have created uncertainty in international shipping markets, particularly given the Strait of Hormuz’s critical role in global oil transportation.

At this stage, the status of maritime traffic through the strait remains disputed, and observers are closely monitoring developments amid heightened regional tensions.

Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz over ceasefire violations

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Iran announces

TEHRAN: Iran has announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic, citing alleged U.S. violations of a memorandum of understanding and continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

In a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the strategic waterway was being shut “with immediate effect” for all shipping.

The statement accused the United States of failing to meet its obligations under a reconciliation agreement, while also blaming Israel for ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps separately confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz had been fully closed since Saturday morning, according to Iranian media reports.

The IRGC warned that all commercial, oil, and cargo vessels should avoid the area, saying their safety could be at risk if they approach the strait.

Iranian officials said the closure was a response to what they described as U.S. breaches of ceasefire commitments and continued regional escalation. They warned that further measures could follow if hostilities continue.

The announcement came as an Iranian delegation headed to Switzerland for talks with U.S. officials, while senior American envoys, including Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff, were already reported to be in the region.

No timeframe was given for how long the closure would remain in effect.

President Trump announces end of Strait of Hormuz blockade

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President Trump

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has been lifted, while insisting that Iran must agree never to possess nuclear weapons or an atomic bomb.

In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz should be fully reopened immediately and remain free of tolls or restrictions to ensure uninterrupted maritime traffic.

The US president stated that any naval mines present in the sea would be eliminated, claiming that American forces had already destroyed several mines using advanced minesweeper technology, while Iran would remove or destroy the remaining explosives.

Trump added that ships delayed due to the blockade could now resume passage through the strategic waterway.

Discussing Iran’s nuclear program, Trump claimed that Iranian nuclear material was buried deep beneath collapsed mountains following B-2 bomber strikes carried out 11 months ago.

He said the United States would extract the Iranian nuclear residue from underground and claimed that both the U.S. and China possess the technical capability to carry out the operation.

According to Trump, the process would be conducted in coordination with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), after which the recovered nuclear material would be destroyed.

US plans new maritime alliance to restore shipping security in Strait of Hormuz

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US plans

WASHINGTON: The United States is reportedly planning to form a new international coalition aimed at restoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The proposed initiative, named the “Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC)”, was referenced in a diplomatic cable sent by the US State Department to American embassies on Tuesday.

The report says US diplomats have been instructed to encourage other countries to join the alliance, which would focus on information sharing, diplomatic coordination, and enforcement of sanctions.

The plan reportedly envisions joint coordination between the State Department and the US Central Command (CENTCOM), where diplomacy would be handled by the State Department, while CENTCOM would provide real-time maritime intelligence for commercial shipping and coordinate information sharing with partner forces.

A senior US official described the proposal as one of several diplomatic and policy options available to former President Donald Trump, as Washington seeks broader international involvement in managing current and future developments in the Strait of Hormuz.

The move comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region, where maritime security and freedom of navigation remain key strategic concerns for global energy and trade routes.

Iran restores tight control over Strait of Hormuz, blames US blockade

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Iran restores tight

Tehran: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran has announced that control over the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous status following continued US restrictions on Iranian ports.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, the IRGC stated that no changes have been made to the Strait’s operational status, emphasizing that it is now fully under the strict control of Iran’s armed forces.

In an official statement, the IRGC criticized the United States, accusing it of engaging in “maritime piracy” under the guise of enforcing a blockade.

 The statement further asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains under tight surveillance and control by Iranian forces.

An IRGC commander warned that stringent monitoring of the waterway will continue until the United States restores complete freedom of navigation for vessels in the region.

Iranian authorities also said that security and oversight of regional sea routes have been further intensified to prevent any illegal activities.

The move is being viewed as a reassertion of Iran’s influence over one of the world’s most critical global trade corridors.

Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz, Trump thanks Tehran as oil prices fall

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Iran reopens

TEHRAN: Iran has announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels following a ceasefire in Lebanon, allowing maritime trade to resume through one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on social media platform X that the strait has been fully reopened for all commercial shipping and will remain operational during the remaining period of the ceasefire.

He added that vessels will pass through designated maritime corridors managed by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization to ensure coordinated and regulated navigation.

According to the Iranian foreign minister, the move is aimed at easing regional tensions and supporting the restoration of global trade flows.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital energy corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments passes, making it highly sensitive for global markets.

Following the announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Iran, posting “Thank you Iran” on social media in response to the reopening of the strategic waterway.

Meanwhile, global oil prices declined sharply after the development. U.S. crude oil fell by around 8 percent to 86 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude dropped by 6 percent to 93 dollars per barrel as concerns over supply disruptions eased.

Market analysts say the reopening has reduced geopolitical risk premiums, leading to a broad decline in energy prices worldwide.

Trump praises Pakistan’s Leadership for mediation role after Strait of Hormuz reopening

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Trump praises

Trump praises Pakistan’s Leadership for mediation role after Strait of Hormuz reopening

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has lauded Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their “excellent role” in mediation efforts following Iran’s decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you Pakistan, thank you to its Prime Minister and Field Marshal both great personalities.”

In a separate post, Trump also thanked Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar for their “great courage and support” in helping maintain regional stability.

The development comes after Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in the context of the Lebanon ceasefire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media that all commercial shipping through the strategic waterway would remain fully open for the duration of the ceasefire.

The move is being seen as a key step toward easing regional tensions and restoring confidence in global trade and energy supply routes.

Oil prices surge after reports of Strait of Hormuz blockade

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Oil prices

Global oil markets witnessed a sharp rise following reports of a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.

The price of Brent crude jumped by $7, crossing $102 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by around $6.5 to reach $103 per barrel.

Shipping costs in the Gulf region also surged significantly, with insurance premiums for vessels increasing by as much as 1,000%.

Reports indicate that a tanker carrying oil worth $150 million would now require approximately $7.5 million in insurance premiums.

Meanwhile, global demand for alternative energy sources is rising. China has taken a lead in this sector, with exports from Chinese renewable energy companies increasing by 57%.

On the other hand, OPEC has expressed concerns that global oil demand could decline amid shifting energy trends.