Iran Vows Not to Reopen Strait of Hormuz as Long as US Blockade Remains, Seizes Two Ships

Iran has vowed not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as a US naval blockade remains in place, despite a ceasefire extension. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said: “A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also seized two ships attempting to cross the strategic waterway. Oil prices jumped four percent following the announcement before easing slightly.

Key Points:

Iran seized a Panama-flagged container ship and a Liberia-flagged vessel.
US Central Command said it has directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port.
Oil prices spiked, with WTI reaching $96.73 per barrel.
Trump claimed Iran halted execution plans for eight women, but Iran called it “false news.”
The standoff continues with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire breaches.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as US-Iran tensions persist despite ceasefire talks.

Sources: Vanguard News, Guardian