Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and fired on multiple ships attempting passage, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced, escalating a standoff over the US blockade of Iranian ports as an eight-week war approaches its ceasefire deadline. The Iranian military said no vessels would be permitted through the crucial waterway until the US lifts its blockade, warning that “any movement from the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman toward the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy” and would be attacked. Through the strait, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.
The Strait closure sharply escalates pressure on both countries ahead of Wednesday’s ceasefire expiration and complicates diplomatic efforts stalled after direct talks in Pakistan ended without agreement. Iran’s control of the waterway has become one of its most potent weapons in the conflict.
Attacks on Merchant Vessels Escalate
Two Iranian Revolutionary Guard speedboats opened fire on a tanker on Saturday, and an unknown projectile struck a container ship, damaging cargo, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, which monitors maritime safety for British military command.
The Indian government summoned Iran’s ambassador to protest what it called a “serious incident” of firing on two Indian-flagged merchant vessels—a reversal that stood out, as Iran had previously allowed Indian-bound ships to transit the Strait without incident.
Sudden Reversal on Strategic Ground
The escalation came one day after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the Strait was open, coinciding with news of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Oil prices fell sharply on that announcement.
President Trump initially accepted Iran’s position but later declared the US blockade “will be maintained in full force” until Tehran reaches an agreement with Washington. The blockade was imposed after direct negotiations in Pakistan ended without a deal.
The US military has sent 23 ships back from Iranian ports since Monday when the blockade began, according to US Central Command.
Diplomatic Impasse Over Nuclear Issue
Iran said it received new proposals from the United States during a visit to Tehran by Pakistan’s military leadership. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said his country was working to “bridge the gaps” between Washington and Tehran, with negotiations expected to resume early next week.
But Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said the United States “risks the international community, risks the global economy” through what he called “miscalculations” and “puts at risk the entire ceasefire package.” He added that Iran was not ready for another round of talks because the United States “has not abandoned its maximalist position.”
Khatibzadeh said Iran refused to surrender its stockpile of 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium, calling the idea “unviable.” Trump said on Friday that the US would enter Iran and “pick up all the nuclear dust”—referring to enriched uranium believed buried beneath nuclear facilities damaged by US military strikes last year.
Regional Tensions Widen
A French UN peacekeeper died and three others were wounded on Saturday during an attack on UN forces in southern Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron said “all signs suggest” Hezbollah was responsible, a finding echoed by the UNIFIL peacekeeping force.
Hezbollah denied involvement.
Pakistani officials said Israeli-Hezbollah combat had been a key friction point in US-Iran talks. The announcement of the Lebanon ceasefire was viewed as potentially advancing efforts toward an Iran agreement.
The war that began with US and Israeli strikes on February 28 has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, over 2,290 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and 13 US soldiers.