In a crucial intervention that captures the scale of geopolitical tension, the US military tonight denied Tehran’s claims, making clear that its strategic sea passage remains fully accessible.
“Iran does not control the Straits of Hormuz,” the spokesman for the US Central Command (Centcom), Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, categorically told Reuters. He added that commercial traffic continues to be carried out without problems, underlining that US forces are closely monitoring the situation in order to ensure free navigation.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM)
In fact, according to the official data of Centcom, only during the current day, 55 commercial ships passed the point in complete safety.
The Iranian ultimatum on energy
The US denial came in response to the surprise announcement by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, while warning international ships not to approach the area.
The move by Tehran immediately called into question the future of the protocol agreement signed just this week between the presidents of the US and Iran, which had as a key pillar the opening of Hormuz — through which 20% of the world’s hydrocarbons pass — in exchange for an end to hostilities on all fronts.
The seriousness of the situation is also reflected in the statements of an adviser to the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who sent a clear ultimatum through the Mehr agency: “If the agreement remains on paper, the flow of energy in the Middle East will remain stopped.”
Trump’s threat of tolls
In this explosive atmosphere was added the intervention of . The US president threatened on Saturday night to impose an “American toll” on the Strait of Hormuz if negotiations with Iran fail.
“There will be no tolls during the 60-day period of the Ceasefire (including with Iran) and there will be no tolls after the 60-day period ends in the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote in a post.
“Unless they are imposed by and in favor of the US, as long as the agreement is not completed, for the service they provide as a guardian angel of the countries of the Middle East, in order to repay the past, present and future costs,” he added characteristically.
Lebanon on fire – Cease-fire collapses
The Iranian reaction and the threat to block the Straits are a direct impact of the developments on the Lebanese soil. , the Israeli strikes continued unabated in southern and eastern Lebanon, leaving behind dozens of dead in a few twenty-four hours and causing a merry-go-round of recriminations.
However, in an attempt to de-escalate, an Israeli army officer announced this evening that the army had finally been ordered by the country’s political leadership to stop fighting with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, while continuing “its defensive actions” in the region.
The army “received updated instructions from the political echelons for a cease-fire,” the official noted, adding that Israeli forces “are not conducting offensive strikes” but are operating “defensively” inside the strip of southern Lebanese territory under Israeli occupation — an area Israel calls a “security zone.”
Earlier, the pro-Iranian organization issued a harsh statement, stressing that the Israeli attacks “are not just violations, but constitute a clear continuation of the war.” The organization added that “the Israeli occupier is fully responsible” and asserted that Tel Aviv never accepted the terms of the truce provided for in the US-Iranian draft.
In contrast, Israel’s foreign ministry pointed its arrows at the Shiite organization. The ministry’s spokesman, Oren Marmorstein, said in a post on the X platform that “Hezbollah is the one that constantly and systematically violates the ceasefire”, justifying the military operations in southern Lebanon.
Diplomatic marathon in Switzerland
Amid this explosive atmosphere, Centcom made it clear that US forces remain on high alert in the region to ensure that the terms of the Iran deal are effectively implemented.
For his part, the representative of Iranian diplomacy, Esmail Baghai, warned Washington through the Irna agency that “the other side must take the necessary measures as soon as possible, otherwise the agreement protocol as a whole will be put in serious jeopardy.”
As the last hope for saving the truce, they imagine tomorrow’s crucial meetings, with the mediation and presence of representatives from Pakistan and Qatar. Iranian negotiators have already left for the European country, starting a pre-scheduled 60-day consultation process.
The goal is to reach a final, sustainable agreement, at the center of which, in addition to peace in the region, the burning issue of Tehran’s nuclear program is expected to be found again.
Vance is optimistic
US Vice President Jay D. Vance expressed optimism about the progress of diplomatic contacts, telling Fox News that he expects to leave for Switzerland within the next twenty-four hours. According to CNNi, his departure is already being prepared, although the exact timing remains fluid due to delicate diplomatic protocols.
