- Tehran says access to Strait of Hormuz could hinge on its approval if pressure continues
- Donald Trump insists blockade will stay until a broader deal on Iran’s nuclear program is reached
TEHRAN/BEIRUT: Iran signaled it could again shut the strategic Strait of Hormuz if a US naval blockade persists, even as Tehran declared the vital shipping lane reopened following days of disruption tied to regional fighting.
Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Saturday that continued US restrictions on Iranian ports and vessels would prompt reciprocal action.
“With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” he wrote on X, adding that transit through the waterway could depend on Iranian authorization.
His warning came a day after Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the strait—through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies pass—had been fully reopened to commercial traffic. He indicated, however, that ships would move along routes designated in coordination with Iranian authorities, suggesting Tehran intends to retain oversight of passage.
The reopening followed a 10-day truce linked to a broader pause in hostilities involving Israel, Iran and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite the announcement, maritime data indicated that vessel movement remained limited to corridors requiring Iranian approval.
US President Donald Trump welcomed the reopening but quickly underscored that the American blockade on Iranian shipping would “remain in full force” until a comprehensive agreement is reached with Tehran, including over its nuclear program. The blockade had been imposed after Iran earlier restricted traffic in the strait amid the Lebanon conflict.
The US Central Command said that since the blockade began on Monday, 21 ships returned to Iran at the direction of American forces.
Tehran has protested the continued US measures, calling them a violation of ceasefire understandings. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned that Iran would take “necessary reciprocal measures” if Washington failed to honor its commitments.
The standoff comes as indirect diplomacy shows limited progress. Trump said a new round of talks could take place soon, noting that Iran was seeking a deal, though previous discussions ended without agreement on key issues, particularly Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Uncertainty over control of the strait has raised concerns in global energy markets, though oil prices eased on hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough. Analysts warn that any renewed closure of the narrow waterway could trigger a significant supply shock.
Meanwhile, the fragile truce in Lebanon—seen as a key factor in easing tensions—appeared to hold despite sporadic incidents, with both Israel and Hezbollah signaling readiness to respond if violations occur. The broader outcome of negotiations is expected to hinge on three core issues: Iran’s nuclear program, long-term security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damage.
BY: The Times Union – Agencies
