Iran says control of strait of Hormuz returns to ‘previous state’ due to US blockade<\/p>\n
Iran announced control of the strait of Hormuz has \u201creverted to its previous state\u201d<\/strong> over the continuing row with the US over its naval blockade of Iranian ports.<\/p>\n In a statement carried by Iranian media, the Iranian military\u2019s operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya,<\/strong> described the ongoing US blockade as \u201cpiracy\u201d, saying: \u201cFor this reason, control of the strait of Hormuz has reverted to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is under the strict management and control of the armed forces.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cUntil the US restores the complete freedom of navigation for vessels from an Iranian origin to a destination, and from a destination back to Iran, the situation in the strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled and in its previous state.\u201d<\/p>\n This adds to the confusion over the status of the key waterway that carried a fifth of global oil supplies before the war. Yesterday Iran and Donald Trump<\/a> announced the strait had reopened to shipping, but the US president said the US blockade \u201cwill remain in full force\u201d<\/strong> until Tehran reaches a deal with Washington, including over its nuclear programme.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.43 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon<\/a> has continued to hold, with thousands more displaced families returning to their homes under the supervision of UN peacemakers. Here are some of latest images coming out of the country:<\/p>\n A boy holds a Lebanese flag as displaced people make their way back to their homes on a makeshift road, built at the site where the Qasmieh bridge was destroyed in Israeli strikes, in the southern Lebanese area of Qasmiyeh. Photograph: Mahmoud Zayyat\/AFP\/Getty ImagesA French contingent of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) patrols the Qasmiyeh area as displaced people waving yellow Hezbollah flags make their way back to their homes. Photograph: Mahmoud Zayyat\/AFP\/Getty ImagesUnifil peacekeepers watch as cars drive through Qasmiyeh. Photograph: Mahmoud Zayyat\/AFP\/Getty ImagesA displaced woman reacts after returning to her damaged home in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Photograph: Ibrahim Amro\/AFP\/Getty ImagesDisplaced people inspect the damage as they return to their homes in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Photograph: Ibrahim Amro\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a>Iran says control of strait of Hormuz returns to ‘previous state’ due to US blockade<\/p>\n Iran announced control of the strait of Hormuz has \u201creverted to its previous state\u201d<\/strong> over the continuing row with the US over its naval blockade of Iranian ports.<\/p>\n In a statement carried by Iranian media, the Iranian military\u2019s operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya,<\/strong> described the ongoing US blockade as \u201cpiracy\u201d, saying: \u201cFor this reason, control of the strait of Hormuz has reverted to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is under the strict management and control of the armed forces.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cUntil the US restores the complete freedom of navigation for vessels from an Iranian origin to a destination, and from a destination back to Iran, the situation in the strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled and in its previous state.\u201d<\/p>\n This adds to the confusion over the status of the key waterway that carried a fifth of global oil supplies before the war. Yesterday Iran and Donald Trump<\/a> announced the strait had reopened to shipping, but the US president said the US blockade \u201cwill remain in full force\u201d<\/strong> until Tehran reaches a deal with Washington, including over its nuclear programme.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.43 EDT<\/p>\n Turkey\u2019s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan,<\/strong> has told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that Israel<\/a> was using security as a pretext to acquire \u201cmore land\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIsrael is not after its own security, Israel is after more land,\u201d he said at the annual conference on international diplomacy in the Turkish resort city of Antalya, AFP reported.<\/p>\n \u201cSecurity is being used by the Netanyahu government as an excuse to occupy more land,\u201d he added, referring to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.<\/p>\n \u201cIsrael has to know that the only way to live peacefully in the region \u2026 is to let the other countries enjoy their own security, and territorial integrity, and freedom, not to use power on those countries.\u201d<\/p>\n Turkey, a Nato member bordering Iran, has positioned itself as a potential key mediator in the Middle East conflict<\/a>, but its sometimes intense rhetoric against Israel has raised questions over its ability to remain neutral.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.09 EDT<\/p>\n The Trump administration<\/a> issued a waiver yesterday permitting countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products <\/strong>at sea for about a month.<\/p>\n The move was an extension of an earlier sanctions waiver that expired on 11 April.<\/p>\n Following turmoil in energy markets triggered by the Middle East conflict, the Trump administration has attempted to reduce global oil prices by allowing countries to purchase vast quantities of crude oil that had earlier been prohibited under US restrictions.<\/p>\n In a Telegram post this morning, the Russian presidential special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev<\/strong>, said the waiver \u201cwill affect over 100m barrels of oil currently in transit\u201d. <\/strong>That brings the total volume affected by both waivers to 200m barrels, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Separate to the Pakistani army chief\u2019s trip to Iran (see post at 07:53<\/a>), the Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif,<\/strong> and foreign minister Ishaq Dar<\/strong> also concluded a trip to the Middle East after visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey <\/strong>for talks.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have just concluded the last leg of our engagements following productive and fruitful visits \u2026 where we held meaningful bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation across key areas,\u201d Dar said on X.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Iran partially reopens airspace, aviation agency says<\/p>\n Iran reopened its airspace on Saturday to international flights crossing the eastern part of its territory, the country\u2019s Civil Aviation Authority said<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cAir routes in the eastern section of the country\u2019s airspace are open for international flights transiting through Iran,\u201d it said, quoted by Agence France-Presse.<\/p>\n The aviation authority added that some airports had also reopened at 7am (0330 GMT).<\/p>\n More than three hours later, however, flight tracker websites still showed no international flights crossing Iran, and several avoiding its airspace by making long detours.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.01 EDT<\/p>\n We have more now on the Pakistani military saying its army chief finished up a three-day visit to Iran<\/a> on Saturday<\/strong> as part of efforts to end the Middle East war.<\/p>\n Field Marshal Asim Munir<\/strong> met Iran\u2019s president, foreign minister, parliament speaker and the head of Iran\u2019s military central command centre during the trip, the military statement said.<\/p>\n The visit showed Pakistan\u2019s \u201cunwavering resolve to facilitate a negotiated settlement … and to promote peace, stability and prosperity\u201d, the military said ahead of expected US-Iran talks in Islamabad in coming days, Agence France-Presse reports.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier<\/a>, Munir led the Pakistani delegation to Tehran on Wednesday while working to arrange a second round of US-Iranian ceasefire talks after last weekend\u2019s negotiations in Islamabad ended without a deal, prompting the US to impose a naval blockade<\/a> of Iranian ports.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.03 EDT<\/p>\n Tankers crossing strait of Hormuz \u2013 report<\/p>\n A convoy of tankers was seen departing the Gulf and transiting the strait of Hormuz on Saturday, vessel-tracking data showed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The group comprised four liquefied petroleum gas carriers and several oil product and chemical tankers, with more tankers following from the Gulf, according to MarineTraffic data cited by Reuters.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Iran\u2019s aviation agency reportedly says it has partially reopened the country\u2019s air space<\/strong>.<\/p>\n More on this soon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Donald Trump also said there had been some positive news regarding Iran<\/strong> but declined to elaborate.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had some pretty good news 20 minutes ago, but it seems to be going very well in the Middle East with Iran<\/a>,\u201d he was quoted as telling reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday evening US time.<\/p>\n When asked what the good news was, the US president replied:<\/p>\n double quotation markYou\u2019ll hear about. I just think it\u2019s something that should happen. It\u2019s something that only makes sense to happen. And I think it will. We\u2019ll see what happens, but I think it will.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a>Trump says US may \u2018start dropping bombs again\u2019 if Iran deal isn\u2019t reached<\/p>\n Donald Trump said earlier in the day that he might end the ceasefire with Iran if a long-term deal to end the war wasn\u2019t agreed by Wednesday.<\/strong><\/p>\n Reuters quoted the US president as telling reporters aboard Air Force One:<\/p>\n double quotation markMaybe I won\u2019t extend it, but the blockade [on Iranian ports] is going to remain. So you have a blockade, and unfortunately we have to start dropping bombs again.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The two-week US-Iran ceasefire expires on Wednesday and the two countries have been in indirect talks aimed at extending the truce.<\/p>\n The White House said midweek that the administration felt \u201cgood about the prospects of a deal\u201d, just days after negotiations in Islamabad failed to reach a deal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.37 EDT<\/p>\n Pakistan army chief finishes Iranian visit \u2013 military<\/p>\n Pakistan\u2019s army chief has concluded a three-day trip to Iran<\/strong>, a Pakistani military statement is being quoted as saying.<\/p>\n Asim Munir<\/strong> led a Pakistani delegation to Tehran on Wednesday while working to arrange a second round of US-Iranian ceasefire negotiations after last weekend\u2019s in Islamabad failed to reach a deal.<\/p>\n Donald Trump<\/strong>\u2019s \u201cfavourite field marshal\u201d has been a key figure in mediation efforts and much rides for Munir on the success of talks, Hannah Ellis-Petersen<\/a> writes here:<\/p>\n Field Marshal Asim Munir (left) meets Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Thursday. Photograph: Anadolu\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.30 EDT<\/p>\n UK to make \u2018wide-ranging\u2019 contribution to Hormuz mission, says envoy<\/p>\n Britain will make \u201ca wide-ranging military contribution\u201d to an international mission to protect shipping in the strait of Hormuz trade waterway, <\/strong>the UK ambassador to the US has said.<\/p>\n Christian Turner<\/strong>\u2019s commitment comes amid long-running concerns over the state of Britain\u2019s armed forces and warnings of under-funding.<\/p>\n The multinational mission, led by the UK and France, aimed to provide reassurance to vessels using the critical waterway once the Iran<\/a> conflict was over, Turner told an event in Washington.<\/p>\n UK envoy Christian Turner has flagged a \u2018wide-ranging\u2019 British contribution to protect Hormuz strait shipping. Photograph: Remo Casilli\/Reuters<\/p>\n PA Media also reports that the initiative was announced at talks in Paris involving nearly 50 countries, which Turner said signalled global resolve to prevent tolls or restrictions being imposed on the shipping route, normally used to move one fifth of the world\u2019s oil and gas supplies.<\/p>\n So far about 12 nations have committed to take part in the mission.<\/p>\n The move has been derided by Donald Trump<\/strong>, who used it as a fresh opportunity to criticise Nato as \u201cuseless\u201d after it refused to support his offensive against Iran.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Opening summary<\/p>\n Welcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East.<\/strong><\/p>\n Iran<\/strong> temporarily reopened the strait of Hormuz<\/strong> on Friday after a truce agreement between Israel<\/strong> and Lebanon<\/strong>, raising hopes for a broader peace, but Tehran warned that it would close the waterway again if the US naval blockade of Iranian ports continued.<\/p>\n Foreign minister Abbas Araqchi<\/strong> announced the global energy chokepoint was open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the 10-day, US-brokered truce agreed on Thursday and Donald Trump<\/strong> said Iran\u2019s move marked \u201ca great and brilliant day for the world\u201d.<\/p>\n But subsequent statements and clarifications from both sides left uncertainty over how quickly shipping might return to normal, and some vessels could be observed making unsuccessful attempts cross the strait on Friday before turning back.<\/p>\n Trump said a US blockade of ships sailing to Iranian ports would remain until \u201cour transaction with Iran<\/a> is 100% complete\u201d.<\/p>\n Iran parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf<\/strong> retorted by saying the Hormuz strait \u201cwill not remain open\u201d if the US blockade continued and that Trump had made multiple false claims on Friday.<\/p>\n Trump later said he might end the ceasefire with Iran and \u201cstart dropping bombs again\u201d if a long-term deal to end the war was not agreed by Wednesday, when their truce expires.<\/p>\n The Malta-flagged oil tanker Agios Fanourios I, which sailed through the strait of Hormuz, arrives in Iraq\u2019s territorial waters off Basra on Friday. Photograph: Mohammed Aty\/Reuters<\/p>\n In other developments:<\/p>\n World leaders welcomed Iran\u2019s announcement on reopening the waterway, <\/strong>with UN chief Ant\u00f3nio Guterres calling the move \u201ca step in the right direction\u201d and urging \u201cthe full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, respected by everyone.\u201d British prime minister Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron \u2013 who on Friday co-chaired a virtual summit of about 50 countries on the issue \u2013 said the reopening must become permanent. Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping was \u201cvery happy\u201d the Hormuz strait \u201cis open and\/or rapidly opening\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Oil prices tumbled after Iran\u2019s Hormuz announcement <\/strong>amid hopes that energy supplies could resume after nearly two months of disruption. Brent crude \u2013 the benchmark for oil traded globally \u2013 plunged below $90 a barrel, a 10% fall.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Trump said the US \u201cprohibited\u201d Israel from bombing Lebanon <\/strong>and that \u201cIsrael will not be bombing Lebanon any longer\u201d. Minutes before Trump\u2019s post on social media, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu uploaded a video address declaring that Israel was not done yet with Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The Lebanese army claimed \u201ca number of violations\u201d by Israel of the ceasefire<\/strong> on Friday morning, as thousands of displaced families began making their way home to southern Lebanon. The fighting since 2 March has killed more than 2,100 people in Lebanon and displaced more than 1 million.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Trump said Iran\u2019s enriched uranium would be brought to the US, also claiming<\/strong> the US and Tehran would work together to recover the uranium but denying reports that the US was considering a $20bn cash for uranium deal. \u201cNo money is changing hands,\u201d he told Reuters.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A cruise ship successfully transited the strait of Hormuz on Friday<\/strong>, making it the first passenger vessel to make it through since the war began, according to ship tracking service MarineTraffic.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n
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