The Latest: Iran fires on ships in Strait of Hormuz as Tehran imposes restrictions again

Key Points:

• Iran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, firing on a tanker and warning it will continue blocking transit as long as the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports remains in effect, escalating tensions amid ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations.
• The British military reported Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats fired on a tanker in the strait, forcing some vessels, including Indian-flagged tankers, to turn back, while Iran declared the strait fully closed except for authorized commercial vessels paying tolls.
• The U.S. maintains its naval blockade of Iranian ports, having turned back 23 ships since April 13, with President Trump affirming the blockade will remain until Iran agrees to a nuclear deal, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and Turkey.
• Regional violence continues with Israeli and Hezbollah casualties during a tenuous ceasefire, including the death of an Israeli soldier in Lebanon and an attack on UN peacekeepers, while diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel show tentative progress.
• Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated it is reviewing new U.S. proposals via Pakistani mediation but emphasized no reopening of the Strait of Hormuz until the U.S. lifts its blockade, insisting on full Iranian control of the waterway until lasting peace is achieved.