TEHRAN: Pakistan hosted the Islamabad Talks between Iran and US, after both countries reached a ceasefire for two weeks after 40-day fighting. The US and Israel attacks on Iran on February 28 martyred several Iranian leaders, including Ali Khamenei.
- Trump, Iran cite progress in talks as uncertainty hangs over Strait
- Ghalibaf slams ‘foolish, ignorant’ decision by US to blockade Iranian ports
- Yemen’s Houthis threaten to close Bab al-Mandeb Strait
- Iran rejects new US talks over naval blockade
- Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again, military HQ accuses US of breaching agreement
Aziz Nasirzadeh, the Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics, Mohammad Pakpour, the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Abdolrahim Mousavi, the Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and adviser and other Iranian military and political leaders were martyred in the Iran war .
Iran responded swiftly and targeted key Israeli cities with a barrage of Ballistic missiles and closed the Strait of Hormuz, which has now been reopened.
[10: 20 AM] Trump, Iran cite progress in talks as uncertainty hangs over Strait
Iran’s top negotiator said recent talks with the U.S. had made progress but gaps remained over nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, while President Donald Trump cited “very good conversations” with Tehran despite warning against “blackmail” over the key shipping channel.
Neither side offered any specifics about the state of negotiations on Saturday, days before a fragile ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is set to expire.
[09: 12 AM] Ghalibaf slams ‘foolish, ignorant’ decision by US to blockade Iranian ports
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said Tehran remains deeply sceptical of the United States despite an ongoing ceasefire, warning that Iranian forces are fully prepared for any resumption of hostilities.
Speaking to Iranian media, Ghalibaf said Iran does not trust Washington and believes conflict could reignite at any moment, stressing that the country’s armed forces are on high alert.
He also underscored Iran’s control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, describing US efforts to blockade Iranian ports as “foolish” and “ignorant”.
He warned that if restrictions on Iran persist, Tehran could respond by limiting maritime traffic through the waterway, adding that other nations should not expect free passage if Iran itself is prevented from doing so.
[08: 23 AM] Yemen’s Houthis threaten to close Bab al-Mandeb Strait
The deputy foreign minister of the Houthi government in Sanaa has warned that the rebels may close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen if Trump continues to obstruct peace.
“If Sanaa decides to close the Bab al-Mandeb, then all of mankind and jinn will be utterly powerless to open it,” Hussein al-Ezzi wrote in a statement on X.
“And therefore, it is best for Trump—and the complicit world—to immediately end all practices and policies that obstruct peace, and to show the respect required for the rights of our people and nation.”
Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a key shipping chokepoint that channels sea traffic towards the Suez Canal. It is 29km (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two channels for inbound and outbound shipments.
[3:25 PM] Iran rejects new US talks over naval blockade
According to the Tasnim news agency, Iran has not yet agreed to a new round of negotiations with the United States, citing President Donald Trump’s continued naval blockade and Washington’s “excessive demands.”
Citing relevant authorities, the report notes that Iran has made it a fundamental condition for talks to resume that the U.S. drop these demands. Tehran emphasized that it has no interest in drawn-out, unproductive discussions.
Tasnim also confirmed that the Islamic Republic’s firm position has already been formally communicated to U.S. officials through Pakistan, which continues to act as an intermediary in the diplomatic efforts.
[1:45 PM] Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again, military HQ accuses US of breaching agreement
The joint military command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued a statement asserting that control of the Strait of Hormuz has now “returned to its previous state” due to the United States’ ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. In a statement cited by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster, the IRGC command stated that the United States has “continued acts of piracy and maritime theft under the guise of a so-called blockade.”
“For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz has reverted to its previous status, and this strategic waterway is now under strict management and oversight by the armed forces,” the statement elaborated.
“Until the United States reinstates full freedom of navigation for vessels travelling from Iran to their destinations and vice versa, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled and in its prior condition,” the command concluded.
