Iran vows to close Strait of Hormuz if US blockade continues

Latest developments on tensions in the Middle East

The U.S. government renewed a temporary license permitting nations to buy Russian oil and refined products at sea, extending the provision for about a month. This permit, issued by the Treasury Department on Friday, covers transactions from the previous day until May 16. The measure aims to stabilize global energy prices, which rose sharply during the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, and have recently eased with news of a temporary ceasefire for peace talks.

The new waiver replaces an earlier 30-day authorization that ended on April 11. Notably, it excludes trade involving Iran, Cuba, and North Korea. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday that Washington would not renew waivers for Russian and Iranian oil in the future, with the Iranian waiver set to expire on Sunday.

“Should the blockade persist, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” stated Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, in a message posted on X. He emphasized that passage through the waterway would be governed by Tehran’s terms and require Iranian approval.

Following this declaration, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was accessible after a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted, “Iran has just announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and ready for passage.”

Despite the openness of the strait, Trump reiterated that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a lasting peace deal is finalized with Tehran. The situation underscores ongoing geopolitical tensions, with both sides leveraging strategic moves to assert control over critical maritime routes.