Iran Claims Continued Control of Strait of Hormuz, Rules Out US Talks After Bombing Halt
Iran stated on Monday that it remains in control of the Strait of Hormuz and is not seeking to resume peace talks with the United States, following President Donald Trump's decision to halt a two-week bombing campaign aimed at breaking Tehran's grip on the vital waterway.
The bombing campaign, which had intensified over 13 consecutive nights, provoked retaliatory strikes by Iran on US bases. Mr. Trump suspended the campaign over the weekend, and Iran responded by saying it would pause its own attacks as long as the US pause continues.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that military commanders had advised the President that the bombing had reached the limits of what it could achieve, with targets running out. The official added that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, had expressed concern over the depletion of air defence weapons used to protect US bases in the region.
The US ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, said on Sunday that Mr. Trump had paused the campaign to create room for negotiations. However, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baghaei, told a televised press conference on Monday that Iran had not asked to resume peace talks with the US.
In a clear signal that the bombing had failed in its stated objective, Tehran indicated it still controls the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important waterway for energy markets. Several Iranian state media outlets carried a report citing an “informed source” as saying that Iran had turned around six “offending ships” on Monday morning that had attempted to cross the strait without permission. One of the vessels, the source claimed, had “an accident”.
“As previously announced, the traffic route in the Strait of Hormuz is the route specified by Iran, and other routes are contaminated and have no way out,” the Iranian state media quoted the source as saying.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel between Iran and Oman, is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Approximately 20% of the world's petroleum passes through it daily. Tensions over the strait have escalated in recent years, with Iran threatening to block it in response to sanctions and military pressure. The US and its allies have conducted patrols to ensure freedom of navigation.
The latest conflict began after a series of incidents involving oil tankers and drones, leading to a US bombing campaign that officially started two weeks ago. Iran's retaliatory strikes caused damage to US bases in Iraq and Syria but were reportedly limited in scope. The halt in hostilities, while fragile, has raised hopes of a de-escalation, though Iran's latest statements suggest no immediate willingness to negotiate.
