The showdown continues between Donald Trump and the regime in place in Tehran with the key being a new twist concerning the Strait of Hormuz. After a brief opening, Iran has once again closed this strategic passage on Saturday, declaring that this crucial maritime route for international hydrocarbon trade will not be reopened as long as the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports.
This hardening comes in the midst of diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Middle East, beyond the two-week ceasefire in effect since April 8 between Iran and the United States and which is set to expire soon.
Trump criticizes “blackmail”
Faced with the US blockade, Iran reversed its position on Saturday, stating that it intends to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the end of the war, a day after its decision to allow the passage of a “limited number” of tankers and commercial ships.
“They are playing cute,” reacted Donald Trump, believing that there could be no “blackmail.” However, the US president still mentioned “very good conversations” towards a lasting cessation of hostilities.
Negotiations continue
The President of the Parliament of the Islamic Republic, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who represented Iran in recent negotiations, mentioned “progress,” but clarified that the two countries were still “far from” reaching a final agreement. Earlier, the Iranian Supreme National Security Council said it was considering new proposals from Washington and promised “no compromise.”
After more than a month of war that has claimed thousands of lives, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, Tehran’s announcement on Friday of the reopening of the strait had boosted financial markets and caused a sharp drop in oil prices, as a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas usually passes through Ormuz. While some ships were able to cross the strait during its temporary reopening on Saturday, others faced gunfire and threats from the Iranian army. Any ship now approaching the strait will be “targeted,” warned the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of Iran.
Backroom negotiations continue, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty saying he is “working tirelessly” alongside Pakistan towards a “final agreement.” Direct talks between Iran and the United States, the first in person at such a high level since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, were held on April 11 and 12 in Islamabad but failed.
