Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States changes its behavior and fulfills its commitments. Speaking to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, Rezaei stated 'America must first fulfil its obligations' before the strategic waterway can be reopened. The Iranian official rejected US pressure on Iran and accused Washington of shifting from military action to an economic blockade and sanctions campaign aimed at weakening Tehran and forcing it to surrender. According to NDTV Profit, Rezaei claimed Iran has developed ways to bypass sanctions and maintain its oil exports despite international restrictions, while warning regional countries against supporting the US economic campaign.
Iran and Iraq have confirmed that Tehran is facilitating the transit of Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the ongoing US-Iran standoff. According to Business Standard, Iraqi President Nizar Amidi stated that 'There is facilitation for some ships carrying Iraqi oil in the Strait of Hormuz,' adding that 'Iraq doesn't have a national carrier for transporting oil.' Iran's state-run IRNA news agency confirmed that a number of Iraqi oil tankers have been permitted to transit the critical waterway. However, the specific details of these arrangements remain unclear, with no information provided about how many tankers are involved or what Iran might have received in return for facilitating these shipments.
Rezaei revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced US President Donald Trump that a tight economic blockade would compel Iran to surrender. According to NDTV Profit, Rezaei stated 'Netanyahu has promised Trump that if he imposes an economic blockade on Iran for six months or two to three months, he will surrender.' The Iranian official further accused the US and Israel of pursuing policies designed to weaken Iran and said Tehran wants an end to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Rezaei maintained that Iran has the authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to its extensive coastline along the Persian Gulf.
US forces have significantly escalated their enforcement of the Iran blockade, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirming that American forces have redirected 67 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 others as part of efforts to enforce the blockade against Iran. According to CENTCOM, US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey utility aircraft operating from the USS Boxer (LHD 4) are conducting operations in the Arabian Sea to continue enforcing the US blockade against Iran. This represents a substantial increase in military actions since Trump's initial territorial declaration, with the president claiming the naval blockade has been 'extremely effective' and '100 percent successful' in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. The latest data shows that only four commodity ships sailed along the strait on Thursday, with none of them being large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers, highlighting the severe impact of the US blockade.
Egypt is actively working to revive Iran-US negotiations, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussing efforts to bring Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table. As reported by Business Standard, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefed Egypt's foreign minister about 'Iran's view of ongoing developments, the course of negotiations and their challenges.' Separately, Araghchi confirmed having a call with Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are expected to discuss plans to develop alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz during the Saudi leader's visit to Paris. The discussions include increasing trade through Omani ports, expanding or doubling pipelines, and developing new rail links. Additionally, Israel has carried out strikes in Syria and Gaza, with an Israeli drone strike in the Syrian village of Beit Jin wounding one person, while an Israeli strike in Gaza killed one Palestinian and wounded another.
