Iran tightens grip on Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint in the U.S.-Iran standoff, with shipping traffic severely disrupted despite a declared ceasefire. Iran has intensified its control over the vital waterway, seizing vessels and challenging U.S. Naval operations, while the United States maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. The situation underscores the fragility of diplomatic efforts and the high stakes for global energy markets. Iran seizes ships amid ongoing tensions Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, accusing them of attempting to cross the waterway “without authorization,” according to state news agency Tasnim. The incident occurred on the first day since President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, a move that has not led to broader reopening of the strait for commercial traffic. Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that “reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible” as long as the U.S. Blockade remains in place. U.S. Blockade continues despite ceasefire The United States continues to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports and vessels, a policy Iran characterizes as a violation of the ceasefire agreement. U.S. Central Command reported that forces have directed a total of 31 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the blockade, including two additional vessels ordered on Wednesday night. President Trump has stated that the U.S. Will not lift the blockade until a deal is reached with Tehran, emphasizing that Iran’s economy is under severe strain. Shipping traffic remains at historic lows Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below pre-conflict levels. On Wednesday, at least eight ships transited the strait, including three oil tankers, according to tracking data from LSEG. This compares to about a dozen vessels on Monday and just six on Tuesday. Before the escalation, more than 100 ships typically crossed the strait daily. The Iranian tanker Atlantis II was observed crossing into the Gulf of Oman despite the U.S. Blockade, while the very large crude carrier Virgo entered the Persian Gulf with an unclear destination. Diplomatic prospects remain uncertain President Trump said he extended the ceasefire indefinitely, backing off a threat to resume attacks if Iran did not accept his terms for a wider peace deal by the deadline. He added that Iran wants the strait reopened “at once” due to economic pressure. However, Iranian officials insist that any reopening is contingent on the lifting of the U.S. Blockade. Navy Secretary John Phelan departed his role effective immediately, with Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao appointed as acting civilian leader, marking another high-level change in the Trump administration amid the ongoing regional crisis. The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global oil consumption passes, remains one of the world’s most critical chokepoints. Its continued disruption poses significant risks to energy supplies and international trade, with no immediate resolution in sight as both sides hold firm to their positions.
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