Iran Tightens Grip on Strait of Hormuz as Tensions With U.S. Continue Despite Ceasefire

By Zoey

Iran has moved to formalize its control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by establishing a new government authority tasked with vetting and taxing vessels seeking passage through the narrow waterway.

A development that has heightened fears across global shipping and energy markets even as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with the United States continue.

The move comes as Tehran confirmed it is reviewing the latest American proposals aimed at bringing an end to the war that erupted earlier this year, though Iranian officials stressed that no final decision has been reached.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the government was examining messages delivered through Pakistan, which has emerged as a key intermediary in negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Speaking through Iranian state television, Baghaei said the Islamic Republic had “not yet reached a conclusion” and had not provided a formal response to the United States.

The uncertainty surrounding the negotiations has coincided with growing instability in and around the Persian Gulf, where hundreds of commercial vessels remain stranded or delayed because of security concerns and restrictions imposed in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes. The narrow passage handles a significant share of global oil and gas exports, making any disruption there a major concern for international markets.

Late Thursday, Iranian state media reported that the country’s armed forces exchanged fire with what officials described only as “the enemy” on Qeshm Island, a large Iranian island positioned inside the Strait of Hormuz. The island, home to approximately 150,000 residents, also contains critical infrastructure including a desalination facility supplying fresh water to surrounding areas.

Authorities provided no further information regarding the incident, and there was no immediate response from either the White House or U.S. Central Command.

Additional reports from inside Iran pointed to heightened military activity elsewhere in the country. Iranian media outlets described loud explosions and air defense fire in western Tehran, while semiofficial agencies Fars and Tasnim reported blasts near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, another key location overlooking the strait. The source of the explosions was not identified.

The Trump administration, meanwhile, continues to send conflicting signals regarding its broader strategy in the region. Although a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has largely remained intact since April 8, American officials have repeatedly warned that military action could resume if Tehran refuses to accept terms that would restore normal oil and natural gas shipments disrupted during the conflict.

President Donald Trump recently paused a U.S. military operation intended to establish protected shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz. The operation, known internally as “Project Freedom,” was suspended after only two days. According to U.S. military officials, only two American-flagged merchant vessels successfully used the guarded corridor before the effort was halted.

During the operation, U.S. naval forces reportedly sank six Iranian small boats that officials said were threatening civilian shipping traffic.

A Saudi official familiar with regional discussions said Riyadh refused to participate in the American effort and informed Washington that Saudi territory and military bases could not be used for operations connected to reopening the strait by force. The official also said Saudi Arabia communicated directly with Tehran to assure Iranian leaders that the kingdom would not take part in any offensive military action tied to the U.S. initiative.

The diplomatic strain has extended beyond the Middle East. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the Vatican for discussions with Pope Leo XIV, whose criticism of the war and calls for restraint have placed him at odds with the Trump administration. The meeting was viewed as an effort to ease tensions following public disagreements between the White House and the first American-born pontiff.

Pakistan has continued to play a central role in mediation efforts. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held another phone conversation Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as Islamabad intensified efforts to secure a lasting agreement.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressed optimism that a breakthrough could come soon, saying officials hoped for “a peaceful and sustainable solution” that would contribute to regional and international stability. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also confirmed that Pakistan remained in constant contact with both Tehran and Washington in an attempt to preserve the ceasefire and prevent renewed fighting.

At the same time, diplomatic activity elsewhere in the region has accelerated. U.S. officials confirmed that direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to resume next week in Washington as regional powers attempt to prevent the broader conflict from spreading further.

One of the most significant developments came from the maritime sector after shipping intelligence company Lloyd’s List Intelligence revealed that Iran had established a new organization known as the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. According to the report, the agency claims authority to approve ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz and has already circulated application forms to shipping companies seeking passage.

The creation of the authority effectively institutionalizes Iran’s growing control over navigation through the strait. Tehran has increasingly directed ships through northern waters close to the Iranian coastline, where authorities inspect vessels and, in some cases, impose taxes on cargo.

International maritime experts have warned that such measures could violate established international law governing freedom of navigation. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries are generally required to permit peaceful transit through territorial waterways used for international shipping.

The United States and several Gulf allies are now pushing for a new United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Iran’s restrictions on maritime traffic and threatening sanctions if the disruptions continue. Previous attempts to pass similar measures were blocked by Russia and China, both of which have maintained close ties with Tehran.

The war itself began on Feb. 28 when coordinated American and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military and strategic sites. The conflict intensified rapidly, causing widespread disruptions across the Gulf and triggering sharp increases in global energy prices.

Iranian politics have also been reshaped by the conflict. President Masoud Pezeshkian revealed Thursday that he recently held a lengthy in-person meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained largely out of public view since reportedly being wounded during the early stages of the war.

Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian described Khamenei’s conduct during the meeting as “sincere” and emphasized the supreme leader’s active role in overseeing negotiations with Washington.

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening phase of the conflict earlier this year. Since taking power, the younger Khamenei has communicated primarily through written statements while maintaining a low public profile amid ongoing security concerns.

Despite the ceasefire, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains highly volatile. With global trade routes under pressure, energy markets unsettled, and diplomatic negotiations still unresolved, the region continues to stand at the center of one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical confrontations.