Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz if US Blockade Continues

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Donald Trump that Tehran will close the Strait of Hormuz if the US Navy continues the blockade. This warning came shortly after the US President announced that the blockade will remain in full force. Ghalibaf said in a post that traffic from Hormuz will be based on the designated route and Iranian permission. He said, "The Strait of Hormuz will not be open if the blockade continues." This announcement came hours after Iran declared Hormuz open to commercial vessels for the remaining period of the ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, "Due to the ceasefire in Lebanon, all commercial shipping through this waterway is declared fully open for the remaining period of the ceasefire." In response, Trump clarified that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in place until an agreement is reached with Iran. He also claimed that if the talks on the blockade continue, it will not be completed soon.