Iran declares Strait of Hormuz shut as 'unauthorised vessel' hit
Iran said on Sunday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz following a vessel's unapproved travel route. It warned any retaliation for the incident would receive a "severe reaction." The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, the Navy's Islamic wing, said that a vessel had compromised maritime security by turning off its systems. It was then struck and brought to an immediate halt.
In the statement, it was stated that several ships tried to navigate through the waterway using an "unauthorised course" and ignored warnings to change their course. The IRGC stated that the strait was closed until further notice and "until the end of U.S. intervention in this area." The Navy warned that any aggression against Iran would be "met with a harsh response" and that new enemy bases will be targeted in the area.
Senior U.S. officials informed reporters that the United States demands that Iran publicly declare that it will cease attacks on ships in strait and that there will be no tolls on the waterway. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that the U.S. had agreed with Iran to continue the talks despite the escalation in hostilities. He also declared the end of the ceasefire. According to a senior Iranian source, Iran, the United States, Qatar, and Pakistan have agreed to hold a conference call on Saturday, while Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi is in Oman. The success of the negotiations was not immediately known. Araqchi met with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Albusaidi in Oman, according to a press release from the Iranian foreign ministry. They exchanged "views about appropriate mechanisms for safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz."
Later, Oman's official news agency said that Omani negotiators and Iranian counterparts would continue discussions "at both the technical and political levels."
Oman is assisting in mediating a peace to the Gulf War that has caused destabilisation and increased prices all over the world ever since U.S. airstrikes against Iran began on February 28.
Iran's blockade of this waterway caused the energy prices to rise, fueling global inflation.
CNN reported Saturday that Oman had made a proposal for the strait. This included free navigation in its southern corridor within Omani territorial water. CNN reported that the plan required vessels transiting through Iranian waters on the northern corridor to receive prior approval from Iran. However, no tolls were to be imposed.
Requests for comments on the CNN report were not immediately responded to by either the White House or State Department.
QATARI METAPHORERS HAD TALKS IN TÉHRAN FRIDAY. Three Qatari and Saudi tankers were attacked earlier this week. The U.S. responded by attacking Iranian sites and Iran responded with strikes against U.S. military sites in Gulf States. Araqchi accuses the United States for violating the ceasefire. The U.S. has revoked its license authorizing sale of Iranian crude after Tuesday's attack. Araqchi said on X Friday that there can only be reciprocal compliance.
Analysts say that while Iran hasn't claimed responsibility for the attacks on ships, it uses "such actions" to gain leverage during negotiations.
The flare-up cast doubt on the future of a interim agreement that aims to end the conflict. It also pushed up oil prices, which is a politically sensitive issue for Trump in advance of the November congressional elections.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran asked us to continue the 'talks'." The United States told them in no uncertain words that the Cease Fire was over! Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform,?Friday.
IRAN TREAKS TO AVOID SUPREME LEADER KILLING A written threat from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday, threatened to exact revenge for the death his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was murdered on February 28, 2008. The statement was released to mark the funeral of former leader Ayatollah Khamenei, on Thursday. The new leader, however, did not attend.
The message stated: "We promise to avenge all martyrs and the blood of?martyred leaders."
Trump posted on Friday that he ordered the U.S. Military to be ready to launch thousands of missiles against Iran in case Tehran tried to assassinate Trump. The Wall Street Journal, among other U.S. publications, reported that Israel shared intelligence with Washington this week about Iran's recent plan to assassinate Trump.
The funeral ceremony on Thursday was attended by a large crowd, many of whom carried banners that read, "We Will Kill Trump." (Additional reporting from Enas Alasray, Ahmed Elimam and Eman Abouhassira; Writing by Tom Perry, Philippa Fletcher, Alexandra Alper and Kim Coghill; Editing by William Mallard and Aidan Lewis; Sergio Non, Cynthia Osteran and Cynthia Osteran.
(source: Reuters)
