Iran parliament speaker touts ‘progress’ in US talks, but Strait of Hormuz still shut

Key Points:

• Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced progress in US-Iran negotiations aimed at ending the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, though significant disagreements remain, particularly on Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran reasserted control over the Strait of Hormuz by closing it again in response to a US blockade of Iranian ports, escalating tensions despite ongoing ceasefire talks mediated by Pakistan.
• US President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism about the negotiations while defending the blockade and threatening renewed military action if a long-term deal is not reached before the ceasefire expires.
• Trump praised Israel as a strong US ally amid the conflict, countering criticism from former Vice President Kamala Harris, who accused Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of dragging the US into the war.
• Incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, including attacks on vessels and protests from India over damage to its flagged ships, have heightened fears of renewed conflict and further disruption to global oil supplies.