Iran Reasserts Control Over Strait of Hormuz; No Deal With US Yet
Al Jazeera Staff
Iran reasserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz on May 30, warning foreign vessels of targeting if they violate rules. The US warns it is prepared to resume war if no acceptable deal emerges, as diplomatic exchanges continue without final agreement.
On May 30, Iran formally reasserted its control over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any foreign commercial ships, oil tankers, or military vessels failing to comply with transit regulations on this strategic waterway would be targeted.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Operations Headquarters of Iran's armed forces stated: "The management of the Strait of Hormuz is exercised with full authority by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. All vessels are only permitted to use designated routes and must seek permission from the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)."
The statement emphasized that any violation would "seriously threaten the navigation security" of those vessels. Iran also warned any foreign military forces operating in the region that attempts to interfere with maritime management or vessel movements would trigger a response.
The announcement came a day after US President Donald Trump convened advisors in the White House Situation Room, declaring he would soon deliver a "final decision" on the deal with Iran. However, no official statement was issued after the meeting.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that messages are still being exchanged but "no final agreement" has been reached with the US.
US Warns of Potential War Resumption
Speaking at a security conference in Singapore the same day, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that Washington is "fully capable" of reigniting war if a satisfactory deal is not achieved. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) also posted on social media that US forces "remain present and vigilant across the region."
Efforts toward a deal were impacted by US airstrikes on Iran's Bandar Abbas port earlier this week, which were met with Iranian fire. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iranian air defenses shot down a drone "belonging to the invading US-Zionist enemy."
Trump stated that priorities in any agreement include Iran agreeing never to develop nuclear weapons and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A White House official affirmed: "President Trump will only make a good deal for America that meets his red lines. Iran must never possess nuclear weapons."
Iran Accuses US of "Betraying Diplomacy"
The same day, Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, posted on social media that Trump is "betraying diplomacy for the third time" by continuing the naval blockade at the strait and making "excessive demands in negotiations."
Earlier, Trump wrote on social media that Tehran would remove mines from the strait and end the blockade of the waterway "free of charge," while the US would lift its blockade. He said both countries would coordinate to remove and destroy Iran's enriched uranium, emphasizing "there will be no money exchanged until further notice."
However, Iran's Fars news agency quoted sources saying Tehran demands the "immediate release of $12 billion" in frozen assets before moving to the next phase of talks. Regarding the free opening of Hormuz, sources insisted "there is no such clause in the agreement text," and Trump's comments about destroying Iran's nuclear material were "baseless."
The ISNA news agency quoted lawmaker Alireza Salimi as saying a plan "to enforce Iran's management and sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz will soon be approved by parliament." Meanwhile, Tasnim reported that the US blockade remains in effect, and Iranian vessels "are receiving warnings from CENTCOM to stop and not cross the blockade line."
