The Strait of Hormuz remained closed on Sunday amid the ongoing standoff between Iran and the United States. Meanwhile, the influential Iranian Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, confirmed that reaching a final peace agreement is still "far off," despite some progress in negotiations.
اضافة اعلان
While mediation efforts continue following high-level talks in Islamabad that failed to yield an agreement, Iran has insisted it will not allow the reopening of the strategic maritime corridor unless the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ports.
Ghalibaf stated in televised remarks Saturday that while "progress" was made in talks with Washington, "significant gaps and some fundamental outstanding issues remain." He added, "We are still far from the final discussion."
Threats of Targetting and "Blackmail"
The current ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday unless extended. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump alluded to "very good talks" with Iran but warned Tehran against attempting to "blackmail" the United States.
On Friday, Tehran briefly announced the reopening of the Strait—through which a fifth of global oil and LNG production typically passes—following a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. However, Tehran reversed its position after Trump insisted that the blockade on Iranian ports would remain until a final deal is reached.
"Unless America lifts the blockade, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz will certainly remain restricted," Ghalibaf stated. Furthermore, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any attempt to transit the Strait without authorization "will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the violating vessel will be targeted."
Incidents at Sea
Tracking data showed several tankers transited the Strait briefly on Saturday morning before traffic ceased by the afternoon. Reports from British maritime security agencies indicated that the IRGC opened fire on one tanker and threatened to "destroy" an empty cruise ship fleeing the Gulf. In a third incident, a vessel was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile. India’s Foreign Ministry also summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest a "shooting incident" involving two Indian-flagged vessels.
The Nuclear Stumbling Block
A major point of contention remains Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium (near 90%). Trump claimed on Friday that Iran agreed to hand over its approximately 440 kg of enriched uranium. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied this, stating that the stockpile—believed to be buried deep underground following U.S. strikes—"will not be moved anywhere."
Regional Developments: French Peacekeeper Killed
On the diplomatic front, Egypt expressed cautious optimism for a deal "within the coming days." However, tensions remain high on the ground. Despite the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon:
A French peacekeeper was killed and three others were wounded in an attack on a UNIFIL unit in southern Lebanon on Saturday.
The Israeli army announced on Sunday the deaths of two more soldiers in clashes in southern Lebanon since the truce began.
Source: AFP
