US negotiators are due in Pakistan for renewed talks with Iran after Tehran reversed course on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and warned it will keep transit blocked while US port restrictions remain. A reported tanker incident involving Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy heightened concerns, with global oil supply risks pushing prices higher as mediators seek progress.
International
-Sathish Raman
U.S. President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday. The talks with Iran were set to restart after new tension. Iran reversed its earlier move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also said it would keep blocking transit until a U.S. blockade ends. The dispute raised fears of wider conflict.
US negotiators are due in Pakistan for renewed talks with Iran after Tehran reversed course on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and warned it will keep transit blocked while US port restrictions remain. A reported tanker incident involving Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy heightened concerns, with global oil supply risks pushing prices higher as mediators seek progress.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy said on Saturday night that the strait stays shut. The warning came as oil markets faced fresh strain. Around one-fifth of the world’s oil uses this route. Supply limits were pushing prices up again. Mediators still signalled that a new deal could be possible.
Strait of Hormuz blockade disrupts shipping and oil flows
Ships trying to cross the strait turned back, according to MarineTraffic. Iran’s navy tightened controls while the U.S. blockaded Iranian ports and waters. Hundreds of vessels waited on both sides for clearance. The disruption returned after a brief period of easier movement late last week.
Kpler, a maritime data firm, said 19 vessels crossed on Friday. That followed announcements that the strait would reopen. The understanding was reached late last week between Iran and the U.S. Yet the progress did not last, and Saturday saw renewed restrictions and stalled traffic.
On Saturday, U.S. Central Command said it had sent 23 ships back to Iran. That count covered the period since the blockade began. It also said at least three vessels were attacked by Iran on Saturday. The incidents halted shipping again and added pressure to energy markets.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported a separate incident earlier. It said two gunboats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired on a tanker. The centre said the tanker and crew were safe. It did not name the vessel or give its destination.
Israel-Hezbollah truce holds as Strait of Hormuz tensions grow
A 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appeared to be holding. The wider Middle East conflict was nearing two months. Deaths were reported across several countries. The toll included at least 3,000 in Iran and nearly 2,300 in Lebanon.
In Israel, the conflict killed 23 civilians and 15 soldiers, according to the update. More than a dozen people were killed in Gulf Arab states. The report also said 13 U.S. service members have been killed. The figures came as regional fighting continued alongside diplomacy.
Israel reveals new forward defence line in southern Lebanon as Strait of Hormuz crisis continues
The Israeli military said it set up a forward defence line in southern Lebanon. It released a map showing troops operating south of the line. The deployment has been described elsewhere as a Yellow Line. Israel said five divisions were working to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure.
The line was not included in ceasefire terms published by the United States. The map showed dozens of villages inside the zone. The area stretched several kilometres into Lebanon. Residents would likely be blocked from returning. Lebanese officials did not comment immediately.
Gaza strike report and Strait of Hormuz dispute shape wider outlook
A health official at Awda hospital said Israeli fire killed one Palestinian in central Gaza. The strike on a group also wounded three others. The Israeli military said it was looking into the incident. Gaza residents reported that Israeli strikes intensified across the enclave.
Since a fragile ceasefire deal was reached in October, strikes have remained frequent. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said more than 775 Palestinians were killed since then. The figures were cited as the region faced continued violence in parallel with the shipping crisis.
Pope Leo XIV comments as Strait of Hormuz standoff raises global concern
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass outside Angola’s capital before an estimated 100,000 people. Leo praised the cease-fire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Leo framed it as a hopeful sign. Leo also urged Angolans to oppose exploitation and corruption.
“We wish to build a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing,\” Leo said.
The Vatican said the American pope was on an African odyssey. The trip was set to include a former hub of the African slave trade. The account described long-running debate about the Catholic Church’s historic role. It also cited claims that full acknowledgement and atonement remain incomplete.
US blockade and war crime claims linked to Strait of Hormuz shutdown
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the U.S. blockade was aggression. Baghaei said it violated a shaky Pakistani-mediated ceasefire. \”By deliberately inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population, it amounts to war crime and crimes against humanity,\” Baghaei said on social media.
Trump renewed a threat linked to U.S. demands for ending the war. Trump said the U.S. could knock out Iranian power plants and bridges. Some military law experts warned strikes on civilian infrastructure can be a war crime. They cited questions of proportionality and minimising civilian harm.
When asked about the issue, U.S. ambassador Mike Waltz called it an escalation step. \”That would be an escalatory ladder.\” Waltz also said, \”Iran and its proxies have a long history of actually deliberately hiding military infrastructure in hospitals, schools, neighborhoods and … and other civilian assets. … They have no ground to stand on,\” Waltz told ABCs This Week.
Waltz defended the idea under the laws of war. \”Its perfectly acceptable in the rules of land warfare,\” Waltz said. Waltz also cited attacks blamed on Iran. \”So this is just a ridiculous argument,\” Waltz said.
The Strait of Hormuz remained central to the crisis and to oil prices. Iran linked reopening to an end of the U.S. blockade. The U.K. maritime report, ship delays, and attacks added to concern. With U.S. talks planned in Pakistan, the next steps depended on whether both sides eased pressure.
With inputs from PTI
