TEHRAN: Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, indicated that Tehran has received signals suggesting Washington might be open to ending the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. However, Iran has firmly stated that no talks will take place until the blockade is lifted.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced on Wednesday that their naval forces intercepted two ships attempting to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, redirecting them to Iran’s territorial waters. The move coincides with the continued naval blockade imposed by the United States on Iranian ports, which began on April 13, shortly after a ceasefire was announced in the broader Iran-U.S. conflict.
According to the Guards, the two ships identified as “MSC-FRANCESCA” and “EPAMINONDAS”—were deemed to be in violation of maritime regulations. The Guards described the first vessel as “belonging to the Zionist regime,” a term used by Iran to refer to Israel, while the second was accused of tampering with navigation systems and threatening maritime security. It remains unclear whether the Guards boarded the vessels during their intervention.
The Guards issued warnings against any actions that violate Iran’s regulations in the Strait of Hormuz or threaten safe passage through this critical waterway. Meanwhile, in Washington, President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for negotiations but emphasized that the U.S. would maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Trump posted on social media that the extension would remain in effect until Iran presented a proposal to end the conflict, while also instructing the military to continue enforcing the blockade.
Iranian officials remain cautious. Ambassador Iravani conveyed that Iran has received signals indicating a possible willingness from Washington to end the blockade, and that Tehran might consider engaging in talks scheduled to take place in Islamabad if the conditions are right.
However, some Iranian officials dismissed the significance of Trump’s ceasefire extension. An adviser to the speaker of Iran’s parliament stated that the move was inconsequential and that the U.S. was not in a position to impose conditions. A foreign ministry spokesperson added that Iran would only participate in negotiations if they appeared capable of yielding meaningful results, with no decision yet made to send a delegation to Islamabad.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the U.S. blockade as a de facto declaration of war and a clear breach of the ceasefire. He condemned attacks on commercial ships and the taking of hostages, labeling them as serious violations. Iran has emphasized its ability to counter sanctions, defend its interests, and resist external pressure.
President Trump also asserted that lifting the U.S. sanctions and blockade would undermine negotiations. On X (formerly Twitter), he claimed that Iran seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to generate around $500 million daily, which would weaken U.S. leverage. He stated that maintaining restrictions is crucial to discouraging Iran from escalating its activities.
The confrontation has escalated tensions further, with Iran responding to the American blockade by restricting access to the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying the ongoing dispute. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Iran’s oil storage facilities on Kharg Island could soon be at capacity, potentially forcing Iran to shut down some of its oil production. He also warned foreign entities against bypassing US sanctions, threatening strict penalties.
Bessent emphasized that the U.S. aims to diminish Iran’s main revenue streams by tightening economic sanctions and controlling maritime trade. The standoff between Tehran and Washington continues to deepen, with both sides holding firm positions amidst ongoing uncertainty about future negotiations.
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