Iran states that it maintains full control over the Strait of Hormuz and has made no request to resume peace talks with the United States.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference on Monday that Tehran has not requested the resumption of negotiations from Washington. These remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump suspended a roughly two-week campaign of airstrikes against Iran.
According to a Reuters report, U.S. military officials had recommended that Trump halt the strikes because designated military targets were nearing depletion and regional air defense stockpiles were running low. The New York Times, CNN, and Axios also reported that Trump's civilian and military advisors recommended pausing the strikes to create an opportunity for diplomacy.
Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, stated that the suspension of strikes was intended to pave the way for potential negotiations. Following this development, global oil prices dropped, with Brent crude falling below $90 per barrel.
Meanwhile, Iran emphasized that it retains control over the world’s most critical energy maritime route, the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media, citing an informed source, reported that Iranian forces turned back six vessels that allegedly attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without authorization.
Tehran maintains that the official maritime policy governing the Strait of Hormuz is determined by Iran, and ships must use the shipping lane under Iranian control. Iran further stated that it will only permit passage to vessels utilizing this specific route and intends to levy transit fees on them.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
