Iran has set a new condition allowing no more than 15 ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day. The restriction is part of a 10-point proposal Iran sent to the United States, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. The report said Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire with the US on the condition that daily ship movements remain under this limit and that all vessel activity be subject to Iranian authorization and regulation.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will oversee and monitor maritime traffic under the new rules. Iran has also informed other Gulf nations about the restriction. A senior Iranian official told TASS that all foreign commercial vessels must now comply with Iranian approval and a specific protocol for passage. The official added that the decision has been formally communicated to regional parties and that returning to pre-war conditions is no longer possible.

The move signals Iran’s intent to maintain strict control over maritime routes during the ceasefire period, emphasizing its strategic leverage in the region.

Iran and the United States agreed to a temporary ceasefire late Tuesday, 39 days after their conflict began, with Pakistan mediating the deal. A key goal was reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz, but Iran has kept it closed after Israel, backed by the U.S., continued attacks in Lebanon. Tehran has instead released an alternative shipping route to avoid mines and requires vessels to coordinate with its navy. Iranian officials insist the strait’s reopening depends on U.S. restraint and regional stability.

Disagreement persists over whether Lebanon is covered by the ceasefire. Israel’s airstrikes in Lebanon have killed at least 303 people and injured over 1,165, prompting condemnation from Lebanese and Iranian leaders. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that continued Israeli attacks would render talks meaningless, while Hezbollah retaliated with rocket fire into northern Israel. U.S. and Iranian delegations are set to meet in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss the truce.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard imposed a one-dollar-per-barrel toll on oil shipments through Hormuz, payable in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan, during the ceasefire period. The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for further negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it would be “dumb” for the United States to let Israel jeopardize the regional ceasefire by continuing its attacks on Lebanon, which have killed hundreds since the truce began. Araghchi linked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions to his upcoming corruption trial, suggesting the Israeli leader has personal motives for prolonging the conflict. He warned that if Washington allows Netanyahu to “kill diplomacy,” it would harm the US economy, adding that Tehran is prepared for such an outcome.

The dispute over whether Lebanon is covered by the ceasefire has become a major threat to the truce’s survival. Iranian officials and media have hinted at possible military responses or even blocking the Strait of Hormuz if the ceasefire is not enforced in Lebanon. Meanwhile, US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have urged restraint, and former President Donald Trump said he told Israel to scale back operations.

Despite these calls, Israeli strikes have intensified, killing more than 300 people in Lebanon, including rescuers in Borj Qalaouiye, and prompting displacement orders in Beirut’s Jnah area.

Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declared a “final victory” in the war with Israel and the United States, as a fragile ceasefire faces renewed strain from Israeli attacks on Lebanon. In a televised statement marking 40 days since the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike, Khamenei said Iran had “astonished the world” during the conflict. He emphasized that Tehran was not seeking war but defending its legitimate rights, vowing to punish those responsible for attacks on Iran and to seek compensation for damages and casualties.

The statement came a day after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, aimed at opening negotiations following weeks of hostilities that disrupted Gulf shipping and nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz. Under the deal, Iran allowed shipping to resume through the strait, reportedly with plans to impose tolls to fund reconstruction.

However, Israeli air strikes in Lebanon that killed more than 300 people have cast doubt on the truce, as the parties dispute whether Lebanon was included in the agreement. Delegations from Iran and the US are expected to meet in Pakistan on Saturday for talks on ending the war.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev described the Strait of Hormuz as Iran’s strategic “nuclear weapon,” according to Anadolu. In a statement on social media platform X on Wednesday, he said that while it remains unclear how the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran will be implemented, Iran holds a powerful strategic element—the Strait of Hormuz—with immense potential.

Analysts clarified that Medvedev’s remark was metaphorical, not a reference to an actual nuclear weapon. The phrase highlights Iran’s geopolitical leverage and the strait’s critical role in global energy supply. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes, has long been a focal point of Middle Eastern tensions.

The comment came as US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, noting that Tehran had presented a ten-point proposal for negotiations. The United States had been pressing Iran to reopen the strait following heightened tensions and reciprocal attacks involving Iran, the US, and Israel.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh announced that an Iranian delegation will travel to Islamabad for discussions with the United States, according to Iran’s Fars news agency. He stated that the next few hours are extremely critical and outlined conditions that must be met before any agreement can be reached.

Khatibzadeh emphasized that the United States must ensure an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon and that Lebanon must be included in any regional peace initiative. His remarks highlight Iran’s insistence on linking regional stability to developments in Lebanon and its demand for broader inclusion in peace efforts.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran signaling that the outcome of the upcoming talks could depend on how these conditions are addressed.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Lebanon was a key component of the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between Iran and the United States. He made the remarks in response to Israel’s destructive attacks in Lebanon, warning that any violation of the ceasefire would bring severe consequences.

In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf emphasized that Lebanon and the entire 'Resistance Axis' are inseparable parts of the ceasefire. He further cautioned that any breach of the agreement would be met with a strong response and come at a high cost.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, underscores Iran’s position linking the stability of Lebanon to the broader ceasefire framework with the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday described Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon as a clear violation of the preliminary ceasefire agreement. In a post on social media platform X, he said Iran would never abandon its Lebanese brothers and sisters, calling the Israeli actions a sign of deceit and a dangerous indication of non-compliance with potential agreements.

Pezeshkian warned that continued Israeli operations would render ongoing discussions meaningless, emphasizing that Iran’s hand remains on the trigger. His remarks followed Israeli strikes carried out on Wednesday and Thursday in Lebanon, which he said undermined the fragile ceasefire framework.

The statement reflects Iran’s firm stance on supporting Lebanon and signals heightened regional tension following the alleged breach of the ceasefire agreement.

Iran did not launch any attacks today, Thursday, against Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed in a statement that the country remained free from attacks. Military authorities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman also reported no missile or drone strikes, while Bahrain likewise confirmed no incidents originating from Iran.

The development follows a recent escalation that began after the United States and Israel carried out strikes inside Iran on February 28. In response, Iran had targeted U.S. bases in several Gulf states. However, a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States was announced yesterday, Wednesday, even as Israel continued its operations in Lebanon.

The absence of new attacks today suggests that the ceasefire may be holding across the Gulf region, though tensions remain high due to ongoing Israeli actions in Lebanon.

Since February 28, a joint military operation by the United States and Israel has severely damaged Iran’s political and military command structure. Over the past 40 days, Iran has lost several of its most influential leaders, marking one of the most significant leadership crises in its history. Among the dead is Supreme Leader Khamenei, killed in a powerful airstrike at his Tehran residence, an event seen as a major turning point in the conflict.

Other key figures killed include Larijani, a central architect of Iran’s diplomatic and strategic policies, whose death has disrupted Tehran’s international coordination. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Mohammad Pakpour was also killed, weakening Iran’s internal and regional military power. Military chief Mousavi died during a high-level meeting in Tehran targeted by Israeli intelligence, while the head of Iran’s defense modernization program was also killed the same day.

The most recent blow came on April 6, when intelligence chief Majid Khademi was killed in a joint airstrike. His death, described as the loss of Iran’s “eyes and ears,” further deepened the country’s leadership vacuum.

Iran has issued new terms for controlling the Strait of Hormuz following a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan after months of conflict with the United States and Israel. The strait, a vital route for 20 percent of global oil and LNG shipments, had been closed after Iran attacked merchant vessels in retaliation for strikes by Washington and Tel Aviv. Tehran’s new protocol includes a revised navigation map directing ships closer to its coast and potential tolls for passage, though it remains unclear if fees are being collected during the truce. Talks between Iran and the US are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday.

Iran’s 10-point peace plan demands an end to US and Israeli attacks, lifting of sanctions, and recognition of its control over Hormuz. Reports suggest Tehran may charge up to $2 million per vessel or $1 per barrel of oil, with revenues shared with Oman, though Muscat has rejected the idea. Critics argue the tolls violate international maritime law under UNCLOS, which forbids levies on transit through international straits.

Analysts warn that continued Iranian control could unsettle global energy markets and strain relations with Gulf states and Western powers, as uncertainty persists over safe passage and future disruptions.

Following a recent ceasefire, partial maritime traffic has resumed through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to data from the vessel-tracking platform MarineTraffic, at least nine ships have passed through the strait since the ceasefire was declared on Tuesday night. Among these were two oil and chemical tankers, though the overall number remains far below normal levels.

Before the conflict, the multinational Joint Maritime Information Center recorded an average of about 138 ships passing daily through the strait. Richard Meade, editor of maritime news agency Lloyd’s List, said the ongoing conflict had nearly halted vessel movement, with around 800 ships still stranded in the region.

Analysts noted that while limited traffic has resumed, uncertainty persists over whether Iran will fully reopen the strait. This continued uncertainty could keep affecting global trade and energy supply conditions.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated in an interview on April 9, 2026, that Iran will ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that the strait had remained open for thousands of years until the start of hostilities with the United States. However, he warned that the strait would not be reopened unless the U.S. withdrew from what he described as acts of aggression, indirectly referring to Israel’s attacks in Lebanon.

Khatibzadeh emphasized that Iran would act in accordance with international norms and laws but asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is not part of international waters. He said that safe passage depends on the goodwill of Iran and Oman. When asked whether safe navigation meant no fees or threats to ships, he replied that Iran wants the strait to remain peaceful.

He added that safe navigation is a bilateral matter and that Iran would not tolerate the misuse of the Gulf by warships, signaling Tehran’s firm stance on regional maritime security.

Iran has declared that advancing permanent peace talks with the United States is unjustified following Israel’s large-scale airstrikes across Lebanon that killed hundreds of people. Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said both Israel and the US violated the ceasefire terms announced by US President Donald Trump. Tehran accused Washington of endangering the agreement by pressing to halt Iran’s nuclear program and supporting Israeli attacks on Hezbollah.

The US and Israel have stated that the two-week ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue operations there. US Vice President JD Vance said Iran misunderstood the ceasefire’s scope. Ghalibaf rejected Trump’s claim that Iran agreed to stop uranium enrichment, insisting Tehran retains that right. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Israeli strikes and urged inclusion of Lebanon in the truce.

The conflict has shaken global markets, with oil prices dropping 14 percent to 95 dollars per barrel. Despite five weeks of war and thousands of deaths, key issues remain unresolved, casting doubt on the peace talks scheduled for Saturday.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has declared that continuing peace talks with the United States is ‘illogical’ following Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon. In a post on social media platform X, he said the ‘operational basis’ for ceasefire discussions between Tehran and Washington has already been violated, rendering further negotiations meaningless.

Ghalibaf stated that three key clauses of the ceasefire plan have been breached: ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, drone incursions into Iranian airspace, and denial of Iran’s right to enrich uranium. He accused Israel of intensifying its conflict with Hezbollah in violation of the ceasefire terms, while criticizing the United States for demanding a full halt to Iran’s nuclear program, which he said undermines the agreement.

According to Ghalibaf, under these circumstances, pursuing bilateral ceasefire or peace negotiations no longer makes sense, reflecting Tehran’s frustration over what it views as repeated violations of the truce framework.