Iran has reversed its decision to open the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, citing the continued U.S. blockade of its ports, the Fars news agency reported the armed forces headquarters as saying.
"Iran agreed in good faith to allow a limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in a managed manner, but unfortunately, the Americans, with their repeated record of breach of promise, continue to commit piracy under the guise of a so-called blockade," Fars quoted the headquarters as saying.
"For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, and this strategic strait is under the strict management and control of the armed forces," the report said, adding that "as long as the United States does not end the complete freedom of movement of vessels from and to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled and in its previous state."
Vessel tracking data shows ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in both directions, following Iran's announcement yesterday that the strait is "completely open" to commercial traffic.
According to Marinetraffic data, three tankers were seen crossing through the Iranian side of the strait. In the southern part, three cargo ships flying India's flag were spotted. In the north, two tankers were seen, one sporting Hong Kong's flag, the other Curaçao's.
U.S. President Donald Trump hours earlier had cited "some pretty good news" about Iran, declining to elaborate. He also said fighting might resume without a peace deal by Wednesday.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte speaks at the Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Washington, earlier this month.Credit: AFP/MANDEL NGANNATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte speaks at the Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Washington, earlier this month.Credit: AFP/MANDEL NGAN
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has rejected speculation about a possible US. withdrawal from the defence alliance, telling the Sunday edition of Die Welt newspaper that he did not see the United States leaving NATO.
He also said US nuclear protection for Europe was not in question, describing the U.S. nuclear umbrella as the ultimate guarantee of security in Europe and saying he believed this would remain the case.
In recent weeks, remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump had fuelled fears that the U.S. could leave the alliance. Trump had criticized what he saw as insufficient support from NATO partners for the war against Iran. The US Senate would have to approve a NATO withdrawal by a two-thirds majority, which is considered highly unlikely.
Rutte met Trump at the White House last week and said afterwards that Trump had been "clearly disappointed" with several member states of the trans-Atlantic alliance. Points of contention included the use of military bases and a mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Trump repeatedly singled out Spain, France and the United Kingdom.
Rutte told the newspaper he understood Trump's frustration. He urged Europe to strengthen its defence industry, describing this as crucial to maintaining deterrence and defence.
President Donald Trump said he may not extend the temporary cease-fire with Iran if negotiations do not lead to an agreement by Wednesday.
"Maybe I won't extend it," Trump said when asked aboard Air Force One, "So you have a blockade, and unfortunately, we have to start dropping bombs again."
Trump talks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on Friday.Credit: Evan Vucci/ REUTERSTrump talks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on Friday.Credit: Evan Vucci/ REUTERS
The president also added that there had been "some pretty good news 20 minutes ago, but it seems to be going very well in the Middle East with Iran." Trump did not elaborate on what the news was.
"You'll hear about. I just think it's something that should happen. It's something that only makes sense to happen. And I think it will. We'll see what happens, but I think it will," Trump said when asked what the good news was.
"The main thing is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," the president emphasized. "You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon, and that supersedes everything else."
Guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) patrols the Arabian Sea, April 17, as U.S. forces enforce the naval blockade on ships attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports. Since commencement of the blockade, 21 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to
Iran has warned that it will close the Strait of Hormuz again if the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports continues.
"With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open," Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X early on Saturday.
۱- رئیس جمهور آمریکا در یک ساعت هفت ادعا مطرح کرد که هر هفت ادعا کذب است.
۲- با این دروغگوییها در جنگ پیروز نشدند و حتما در مذاکره هم راه به جایی نخواهند برد.
۳- با ادامهٔ محاصره، تنگهٔ هرمز باز نخواهد ماند.
He added that transit through the waterway, which is vital for the global oil and gas market, would take place along a "designated route" and with "Iranian authorization."
After weeks of a blockade due to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, the leadership in Tehran on Friday said that oil tankers and commercial vessels could again pass through the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire.
President Donald Trump also announced the reopening of the strait, but said the United States would maintain its own naval blockade, which applies only to ships coming to and from Iran.
A new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States is expected to take place on Monday in Pakistan, Iranian sources told CNN. U.S. sources have not confirmed the talks.
A senior Iranian official called President Donald Trump's claims about Tehran's alleged concessions to U.S. demands "alternative facts," telling CNN that the demand to ship Iran's uranium stockpile to the United States was a "non-starter."
The source added that Trump's rhetoric could disrupt the negotiation process, warning that the United States could be "using diplomacy to exhaust diplomacy and planning a new aggression, which Iran is ready to forcefully respond."
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that cease-fire talks with Iran are ongoing and will continue "over the weekend," adding, "A lot of good things are happening that includes Lebanon too."
"I don't think there's too many significant differences," he said regarding negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Trump said that Iran will "never have a nuclear weapon," adding, "No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form," referencing a proposal to release Iranian funds frozen by Washington in exchange for Tehran giving up its nuclear stockpile.
