Iran said it was tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, warning mariners the vital energy route was again closed, but President Donald Trump said Tehran could not blackmail the US by shutting the waterway.
Tehran said it was responding to a continued US blockade of Iranian ports.
Shipping sources said at least two vessels reported coming under fire and being hit while trying to transit the waterway.
State media in Iran quoted the Supreme National Security Council as saying Iranian control over the strait included demanding the payment of costs related to security, safety and environmental protection services.
State television also quoted the Supreme National Security Council as saying the US had put forward new proposals after talks mediated by Pakistan in recent days. Tehran was considering them but had not yet responded, it said.
There was no immediate sign of direct US-Iran talks taking place at the weekend, despite Trump saying on Friday that negotiations would take place.
Tehran’s renewed tough messaging caused fresh uncertainty around the Iran conflict, raising the risk that oil and gas shipments through the strait could remain disrupted just as Washington weighs whether to extend the fragile ceasefire.
Trump said the US was having ‘very good conversations’ with Iran but that Tehran wanted to close the strait again. Iran could not blackmail the US, he said.
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