Iran’s Leadership Responds to US Blockade
Iranian officials asserted on Thursday that they cannot permit unrestricted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, given the ongoing US blockade of Iranian vessels through shipping diversions. This stance reflects Iran’s reluctance to engage more productively in peace discussions.
This statement came after a ceasefire initiated by the US, which recently wrapped up but was later extended for two weeks to facilitate dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict. This conflict dates back to February 28, when President Trump declared Operation Epic Fury, aimed at limiting Iran’s capacity to deploy missile and drone attacks against the US and its allies. This military operation, alongside a coordinated strike from Israel, resulted in the deaths of numerous Iranian leaders, among them “Supreme Leader” Ali Khamenei.
Recently, President Trump indicated plans to prolong the ceasefire, suggesting it would give remnants of the Iranian regime time to consolidate their negotiating stance, pointing toward internal struggles for power within Tehran. Notably, the ceasefire does not lift the US military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz affecting traffic to and from Iran.
The comments regarding free navigation in the Strait stemmed from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Berger Ghalibaf, who made it clear in a social media statement that Iran wouldn’t allow commercial shipping unless the US blockade was reinstated.
“A complete ceasefire makes sense only if it’s not undermined by naval blockades or kidnappings that threaten the global economy, and if Israel’s provocative actions cease across the board,” he remarked, as reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
Furthermore, Ghalibaf emphasized that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is unattainable amidst the current violation of ceasefire agreements.
In a different tone, Iran’s prominent figure, President Massoud Pezevskian, declared that Iran is willing to discuss negotiations, but only after some significant concessions are made on topics expected to arise in future discussions.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is open to dialogue and agreement and will continue in that spirit,” he stated on Twitter, contrasting sharply with more combative rhetoric from other elements within the Iranian government.
“The major impediments to meaningful negotiations are broken promises, blockades, and threats. The world is noticing your incessant hypocrisy and the discrepancies between what you claim and your actions,” he added.
Interestingly, Pezeshkian did not specify any alleged breaches of commitments by the US or Israel.
In the meantime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)—the most formidable segment of Iran’s military, recognized as a terrorist organization by the US—issued its own statement Thursday, maintaining a hostile tone toward the Pezeshki government, despite their apparent willingness to engage. They cautioned about potential turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC has signaled that “severe damage to vital undersea cables could lead to significant outages across the Persian Gulf,” according to friendly reports. This could especially impact nations like India, which depends on these connections for various digital services.
India, engaged in trade through the Strait, has so far avoided many repercussions of the ongoing conflict, with reports suggesting that ships have been able to navigate safely. India’s position as a member of the anti-American BRICS coalition allows it to maintain amicable relations with Iran while also being a capable trade partner with the US. However, the IRGC claimed an India-bound vessel was intercepted in the Strait late Thursday.
The Revolutionary Guards announced the seizure of two ships in the Strait of Hormuz: the Panamanian-flagged MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas, marking the first reported capture of vessels since the initiation of Operation Epic Fury. US officials dismissed these seizures as non-consequential to peace negotiations, asserting that they wouldn’t impact US interests or bolster confidence in Iran’s military forces.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated on Wednesday that the US maintains effective control over the straits, characterizing the actions as piracy. She clarified that the blockade remains firmly in place against ships moving to and from Iranian ports and underscored that economic pressure continues alongside the military ceasefire.
However, concerns over the potential for mines to create disorder in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated, leading President Trump to announce a directive to target any vessels laying mines in the area.
“I directed the US Navy to engage any boats, even smaller ones, involved in laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. There will be no hesitation,” he declared on his platform, Truth Social.
