Iran Reclaims Strait of Hormuz, Rejects U.S. Talks

Iran announced on Sunday that it has reasserted full control of the Strait of Hormuz and will not attend a planned second round of talks with the United States after U.S. forces seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman.

State news agency IRNA, citing unnamed sources, blamed Washington for “excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant changes in position, repeated contradictions, and the naval blockade” that Tehran says ended a ceasefire. IRNA added that “under these conditions, the outlook for constructive talks remains bleak.”

Tehran said any return to diplomacy must begin with the removal of the U.S. blockade on its ports. Iranian officials expressed concern they were being misled and warned of a possible surprise attack, indicating low trust in U.S. intentions. President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected a U.S. claim that Iran agreed to give up uranium enrichment and said Iran’s nuclear rights cannot be denied.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted that the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the TOUSKA after the vessel tried to run an American naval blockade. He described the ship as nearly 900 feet long, said the crew ignored warnings, and that U.S. forces fired into the engine room before Marines took custody. The U.S. has placed the vessel under Treasury sanctions, and U.S. personnel are inspecting the ship and its cargo, according to U.S. statements.

U.S. officials characterized the naval action as enforcement of sanctions and measures to protect maritime security. Iran described the U.S. blockade of ships entering and leaving its ports as a breach of earlier understandings and an impediment to diplomacy, and repeated that the blockade must be lifted before substantive talks can resume.

The incident pushed energy prices higher. West Texas Intermediate futures rose about 6% to $88.93 a barrel, while Brent crude climbed to $95.48. The U.S. energy secretary warned petroleum prices may not fall below $3 a gallon until next year because of the conflict and the partial closure of the strait. Regular unleaded averaged $2.90 a gallon on Feb. 1; the U.S. national average has risen to about $4.04 a gallon since the conflict began on Feb. 28, according to fuel price trackers.

The dispute comes after months of heightened tension over Iran’s nuclear program and maritime security in the Persian Gulf and nearby waters. Both sides have accused the other of violating earlier agreements and sanctions, and the security escalation has affected regional shipping and energy markets.