Key facts
- Iran's foreign ministry stated the Strait of Hormuz cannot be used by "aggressors" to harm its national security.
- Iran's chief negotiator cited US and Israeli "blatant violations of the ceasefire" as reasons why the Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened.
- US President Donald Trump extended the US-Iran ceasefire.
- Iran announced the seizure of two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Mediators are facilitating communication between Iran and the US.
Iran's foreign ministry stated that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be used by "aggressors" to harm its national security, according to spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. This statement comes amid heightened tensions in the vital waterway.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator in talks with the US, stated on X that it is "not possible" for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened due to "blatant violations of the ceasefire" by the US and Israel. He characterized the US naval blockade of Iranian ports as taking the global economy "hostage" and accused Israel of "warmongering" on multiple fronts.
President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Iran's openness to negotiations, but cited "breach of commitments, blockade and threats" as obstacles. Mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, are reportedly exchanging messages between the parties.
Early Tuesday, it appeared that new peace talks between the US and Iran were scheduled to occur in Pakistan, but they had not yet begun. Vice-President JD Vance, who was expected to lead the US delegation, remained in the US. On Tuesday night, US President Donald Trump announced an extension to the US-Iran ceasefire, which was set to expire Wednesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the extension is open-ended and that Trump is "satisfied" with the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran.
The comments from Iran's negotiator followed reports of attacks on three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran announced it had "seized" two cargo ships, MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, for "inspection" due to "operating without authorisation" and committing "repeated violations." The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) Navy warned it is "monitoring" movements through the strait and vowed "firm" action against "violators." Footage of Iranian commandos raiding the ships was later broadcast.
One of the attacked ships, the UAE-owned Euphoria, reportedly dropped anchor near a port in the UAE after the incident. The Greek Foreign Minister confirmed an attack on the Greek-owned Epaminondas but could not confirm its seizure by Iran.
An opinion piece suggested that Iran's most effective military option is not to mine the Strait of Hormuz itself, but the approaches to it, particularly in the Gulf of Oman entrance zones where commercial traffic converges. This strategy, it argued, could create disruption more efficiently and over a wider area by generating uncertainty among mariners, insurers, and naval escorts, without overtly mining the strait itself. The piece noted that floating mines deployed in these entrance zones could naturally drift towards commercial traffic patterns.