Iran shut down the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz shipping channel on Saturday, responding to U.S. naval blockade actions with a declaration that the waterway will stay sealed until “the war fully ends and lasting peace is achieved in the region.”
During a White House press briefing, President Trump minimized the significance of Iran’s action while noting that diplomatic discussions with Tehran continue to advance positively.
Iran “got a little cute” by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, Trump told reporters, emphasizing that negotiations are “working really well.” The president noted “They wanted to close up the strait again,” but insisted “they can’t blackmail us.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a formal declaration stating they had received fresh U.S. proposals delivered through Pakistani intermediaries. While avoiding specific details about the proposal’s contents, the council cautioned that America must drop “excessive demands and adjust its requests to the realities on the ground.” The council justified the strait closure by claiming the U.S. naval blockade breached existing truce agreements.
A senior Iranian representative informed CNN that Tehran plans to fast-track vessels willing to pay transit fees. “Given the limitation on the number of vessels that will be allowed to pass,” the official explained to the network, “Iran has decided to give priority to those vessels that respond more quickly to the new Strait of Hormuz protocols and pay the costs of security and safety services.”
Ships refusing to pay the required fees will have their transit “postponed,” according to the Iranian official.
This fee-based system mirrors Iran’s previous attempts to charge ships for Strait of Hormuz passage, which Washington previously rejected while demanding unrestricted access for all maritime traffic.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. military forces are preparing imminent operations to intercept Iran-connected oil tankers and commandeer commercial vessels in international waters, according to government sources. The report indicates this would significantly expand Washington’s naval enforcement operations beyond Middle Eastern waters.
