Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Closure Will Persist as U.S. Blockade Remains

The ceasefire has held so far, but the standoff risks renewed conflict. The article notes casualties across the region: at least 3,000 killed in Iran, more than 2,290 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. It also records 15 Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon and 13 U.S. service members killed throughout the region.

Iran doubled down on its pledge to restrict ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. The Supreme National Security Council said the blockade violated the ceasefire and that Iran would prevent any conditional or limited reopening, maintaining designated routes, fees, and transit certificates. Pakistani mediators were working to arrange another round of direct negotiations early next week, as the two-week ceasefire neared expiry on Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had become 'a little cute' but that conversations were 'very good,' with more information expected by the end of the day.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council said new proposals from the U.S. were put forward during a visit to Iran by Pakistan's army chief and were being reviewed. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Iran was not ready for a new round of face-to-face talks because the Americans had not abandoned their maximalist position, and Iran would not hand over its stock of 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium to the United States. Iran said it was ready to address concerns.

Revolutionary Guard gunboats opened fire on a tanker and a projectile hit a container vessel, damaging some containers (per UKMTO). Two India-flagged ships were fired on mid-transit and forced to turn around. India summoned Iran's ambassador over the incident, noting that Iran had earlier allowed several India-bound ships through.

In a state television interview aired late Saturday, Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator with the United States, said that it is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while Iran cannot, criticizing the U.S. blockade as naive. He said Iran seeks peace, but gaps remain wide and some fundamental issues are unresolved, and Iran would continue enforcing its restrictions in the strait.

Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz would reopen after a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon took hold on Friday, as mediators sought to extend the ceasefire that was due to end soon.