Prospects of an early resolution to conflict in the Gulf appear to have receded, with both Iran and the U.S. seemingly intent on extending their shipping blockades.
Iran has continued to refuse safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and has said it won’t consider changing its position while the American blockade remains in force.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite, highly ideological branch of Iran’s armed forces, has in recent days seized two cargo vessels, the Francesca and Epaminondas. in the strait over claimed “maritime violations.”
Meanwhile U.S. President Donald Trump had announced just before its imminent expiry yesterday (Wednesday) that America would extend the ceasefire with Iran until the country’s leaders came up with a “unified proposal” to U.S. negotiating positions.
He had previously threatened to renew the bombing campaign, potentially targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure as well as military targets.
The U.S. blockade of all Iranian ports, coordinated by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) continues; according to its statements as of midnight GMT today (Thursday) “U.S. forces have directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port.”
It denied media reports suggesting several commercial ships had recently evaded the blockade, branding them as “inaccurate” and added: “The U.S. military has global reach. American forces are operating and enforcing the blockade across the Middle East and beyond.”
In an unexpected and unexplained development the Pentagon also revealed today (Thursday) that the U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan would be replaced, “effective immediately.” In the short term Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary, as per a statement by Assistant to the Secretary of War Sean Parnell.
- You can read the latest CENTCOM updates on its X social media feed and the statement about former SecNav Phelan here