Tehran said on Saturday it could once again close the Strait of Hormuz if Washington continues blocking Iranian ports, just hours after announcing the key shipping route had reopened following a ceasefire in Lebanon.
The reopening had boosted global markets and raised hopes in Washington, with Donald Trump saying a broader peace deal with Iran was close and claiming Tehran had agreed to surrender its enriched uranium. Iran rejected that assertion, insisting its nuclear stockpile would remain intact.
Officials in Tehran also cautioned that any interception of ships leaving Iranian ports by US forces could trigger another shutdown of the strait — a crucial trade corridor that handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the waterway would not stay open under continued blockade, while foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described the US naval action as a ceasefire violation and warned of a firm response.
The United States says it has already turned back 21 vessels since the blockade began, underscoring rising tensions despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Although optimism remains around a potential agreement — with mediation involving Pakistan — uncertainty lingers. Trump has indicated the blockade could continue if talks fail, even as he signalled openness to extending the current ceasefire.
Meanwhile, a temporary truce in Lebanon has allowed displaced residents to return home, though regional tensions persist. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said operations against Hezbollah are not yet complete, while the group warned it is prepared to respond to any further strikes.
