Middle East War: Iran plays smartest… Trump displeased after the re

The tug-of-war continues between Donald Trump and the current regime in Tehran, with a new twist regarding the Strait of Hormuz. After a brief reopening, Iran has once again closed this strategic passage on Saturday, stating that this crucial maritime route for international hydrocarbon trade will not be reopened as long as the United States continues to block Iranian ports.

This hardening comes amidst diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Middle East, beyond the two-week ceasefire in effect since April 8th between Iran and the United States, which is about to expire.

Trump lashes out at “blackmail”

Faced with the US blockade, Iran reversed course on Saturday, stating that they intend to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the end of the war, following their decision to allow the passage of a “limited number” of tankers and commercial ships.

“They are trying to be clever,” reacted Donald Trump, stating that there cannot be any “blackmail.” The US president, however, mentioned “very good conversations” towards a lasting cessation of hostilities.

Negotiations continue

The President of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who represented Iran in recent negotiations, mentioned “progress,” but clarified that both countries are still “far from” a final agreement. Earlier, the Iranian Supreme National Security Council said they were reviewing new proposals from Washington and promised to make “no compromises.”

Our file on the War in the Middle East

After more than a month of a war that has claimed thousands of lives, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, Tehran’s announcement on Friday to reopen the strait gave a boost to financial markets and caused a sharp drop in oil prices, as a fifth of the world’s crude oil and natural gas typically transits through Ormuz. While some ships were able to pass through the strait during its temporary reopening on Saturday, others faced gunfire and threats from the Iranian army. Any ship approaching the strait will now be “targeted,” warned the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of Iran.

Behind the scenes, negotiations continue, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stating that they are “working tirelessly” alongside Pakistan towards a “final agreement.” Direct talks between Iran and the United States, the first in person at such a level since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, were held on April 11th and 12th in Islamabad but ended in failure.