Extended News

Iran has said that the Strait of Hormuz is “impossible” to reopen due to what it calls ceasefire violations by the US and Israel.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament and lead negotiator, wrote on X: “A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade and the hostage-taking of the world’s economy.... reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such a flagrant breach of the ceasefire.”

On Wednesday, US Navy secretary John Phelan left the Trump administration, marking another high-level departure in US security leadership amid the ongoing war with Iran. A Pentagon spokesman said the department is “grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy” without providing a reason for the departure.

His exit follows recent shake-ups, including the firing of the US army’s chief of staff, the resignation of a top counterterrorism official, and other dismissals of senior generals by Pete Hegseth.

Earlier, the White House said the US blockade of Iran’s ports was “incredibly effective” at choking Iran’s economy and pressurising it into joining peace talks.

Trump has said fresh talks with Tehran could begin within two days, despite Iranian officials demanding an end to the blockade of its ports as a condition for negotiations to restart.

Key Points

• Three container ships hit by IRGC gunfire in Strait of Hormuz - UKMTO
• Iran claims it has seized two vessels for 'maritime violations'
• Navy Secretary to depart Trump administration ‘immediately’
• Sam Kiley analysis | Trump has exposed the limits of his own power

Iranian president accuses US of ‘hypocritical rhetoric’

05:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X that the US was showing the world “its endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions”.

He wrote on X: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has welcomed dialogue and agreement and continues to do so. Breach of commitments, blockade and threats are main obstacles to genuine negotiations.”

His comments came after the US refused to lift its blockade of Iranian ports.

The White House has also accused Iran of acting “like a bunch of pirates” after its Revolutionary ⁠Guard Corps Navy fired on three ships and captured two of them as they tried to go through the Strait of Hormuz.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that the US blockade of Iran’s ports was incredibly effective at choking Iran’s economy.

Iran says ‘impossible’ to open Strait of Hormuz given ‘flagrant’ ceasefire violations by US and Israel

04:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with Iran saying it is “impossible” to reopen it due to what it calls ceasefire violations by the US and Israel.

Iranian forces have seized two ships and are enforcing their own blockade, while the US is also maintaining a separate blockade.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament and lead negotiator, wrote on X: “A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade and the hostage-taking of the world’s economy, and if the Zionist warmongering across all fronts is halted; reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such a flagrant breach of the ceasefire.

“They did not achieve their goals through military aggression, nor will they through bullying. The only way forward is to recognise the rights of the Iranian nation.”

Analysis: Trump has exposed the limits of his own power

04:30 , Sam Kiley

Critics of the US president will see the latest extension of a ceasefire with Iran as yet another “Taco” moment, because Trump Always Chickens Out.

But criticising Donald Trump for not behaving like a madman or an idiot is a sign that his critics are suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Trump has threatened genocide against Iran when he said on social media that “tonight an entire civilisation will die”. Making such statements is criminal, and involves his armed forces in potential violations of international law.

For now, Trump has backed away from a more recent threat that, if Iran does not open the Strait of Hormuz and agree to a peace deal, “the whole country is going to get blown up”.

Source : msn