Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran had “acted a bit provocatively” by once again restricting movement through the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day. However, he maintained that communication between Washington and Tehran remains ongoing and is progressing positively.
Despite this, Israel is reportedly preparing for a possible breakdown in negotiations and a potential escalation in the strait, according to a source cited by Kan public broadcaster. Meanwhile, a report by The Wall Street Journal indicated that US forces are gearing up to intercept and seize vessels linked to Iran in international waters if tensions rise further.
Iran stated that control over the Strait of Hormuz has been restored under strict supervision of its armed forces, as long as the US blockade on Iranian ports continues. The country’s Supreme National Security Council added that control of the waterway would remain in place until the conflict ends and long-term peace is established in the region.
The council also revealed that it had received fresh proposals from the United States through mediation efforts led by Pakistan’s army chief. While details were not disclosed, Iranian officials said the proposals are still being reviewed. Tehran emphasized that any future negotiations would require Washington to scale back what it described as “excessive demands” and align its expectations with realities on the ground.
Tensions further intensified after Iran reportedly opened fire on at least three tankers attempting to pass through the strait on Saturday—just a day after announcing it would reopen the route under a ceasefire agreement with the United States.
The uncertainty surrounding the key maritime chokepoint has raised concerns about a worsening global energy crisis and the risk of renewed conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, and any disruption could significantly impact global oil prices.
Speaking at the White House, Trump downplayed the situation, saying that talks with Iran were “going very well” despite recent developments. He confirmed that discussions are ongoing and suggested that more clarity could emerge soon. However, he warned that hostilities could resume if a peace agreement is not reached before the current two-week ceasefire expires on Wednesday.
Israeli sources believe Iran’s actions may be part of a negotiating strategy, but concerns remain that the situation could quickly deteriorate if talks collapse.
According to a report by The New York Times, US intelligence assessments suggest that Iran still retains a significant portion of its military capabilities. These include roughly 70 percent of its pre-war ballistic missile stockpiles, about 60 percent of its missile launchers, and around 40 percent of its drone arsenal.
The report further noted that since the ceasefire began on April 8, Iran has recovered additional missile launchers that had been buried, increasing its operational capacity. Efforts are also underway to retrieve more missile stockpiles from sites damaged in US and Israeli strikes, which could further strengthen its arsenal.
