Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, tightening its grip on the strategic waterway after US President Donald Trump called off planned attacks indefinitely, with no clear sign of peace talks resuming.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the Revolutionary Guards detained the vessels for alleged maritime violations and escorted them to Iranian shores. This marks the first such seizure since the conflict began in late February. The Guards also warned that any disruption to safety in the strait would be treated as a “red line.”
Earlier, a British maritime security agency reported that three ships had come under fire, underscoring rising tensions in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.
Trump said late Tuesday that the United States had agreed, at the request of Pakistani mediators, to suspend attacks on Iran temporarily to allow space for a unified proposal and potential negotiations. However, he also reiterated that the US Navy would continue its blockade of Iranian maritime trade. In recent days, US forces fired upon and seized an Iranian cargo vessel and boarded a large oil tanker in the Indian Ocean.
Tehran has described the blockade as an act of war and insists it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the restrictions remain, contributing to a worsening global energy crisis. In a show of defiance, Iran showcased ballistic missiles during a military parade in Tehran, with state television broadcasting images of large crowds and symbolic imagery of the strait being choked off.
Pakistan working to bring both sides back
Pakistan, acting as a mediator, continues efforts to bring both sides back to the negotiating table after talks failed to materialize on Tuesday, just before a two-week ceasefire was set to expire.
“We were fully prepared; the stage was set,” a Pakistani official familiar with the process told Reuters. “It was an unexpected setback. The Iranians had not refused participation and remain open to talks.”
Another source involved in the mediation said Pakistan is still “working very hard to bridge the divide, engaging both sides while taking their sensitivities into account.”
There was no immediate response from senior Iranian officials to Trump’s ceasefire announcement, though initial reactions from Tehran suggested scepticism. Tasnim reported that Iran had not requested any extension and reiterated its readiness to confront the US blockade if necessary.
Differences remain
Despite the temporary pause, deep divisions persist. Trump had earlier warned of potential strikes on Iran’s power plants and infrastructure—threats condemned by the United Nations as potentially constituting war crimes. Iran, in turn, warned it would retaliate against neighbouring countries if its civilian facilities were targeted.
A senior Iranian official previously indicated willingness to attend further talks, but no formal agreement was reached. While Tehran publicly maintained uncertainty over participation, a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance ultimately did not depart Washington.
An earlier round of talks held 11 days ago failed to produce any breakthrough.
Washington demands that Iran abandon highly enriched uranium and halt further enrichment to prevent nuclear weapon development. Iran, maintaining its program is peaceful, seeks an end to hostilities, lifting of sanctions, reparations, and recognition of its control over the strait.
Truce violations in Lebanon
Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities reported at least two violations of a separate US-brokered ceasefire involving Israel and the armed group Hezbollah—a truce seen as a prerequisite for broader Iran-related negotiations.
Overnight, an Israeli drone strike killed one person and injured two others in Lebanon’s western Bekaa Valley. A subsequent attack in southern Lebanon reportedly killed two more. Israeli authorities said they were unaware of the first strike and did not immediately comment on the second.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching rockets and drones into northern Israel on Tuesday, accusing Israeli forces of breaching the truce.
US seeks Ukrainian helph
In a parallel development, the US military has begun deploying Ukrainian counter-drone technology at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The system, known as Sky Map, is widely used by Ukrainian forces to detect and respond to drone threats, including Iranian-designed Shahed drones. Ukrainian military personnel have reportedly trained US forces in operating the platform in recent weeks.
The move highlights Ukraine’s growing expertise in drone warfare, developed during its ongoing conflict with Russia. It also underscores vulnerabilities in US air defence systems, particularly at installations within range of Iranian missile and drone capabilities.
Notably, the deployment comes just weeks after Trump publicly declined an offer from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to assist in countering Iranian drone threats, stating that the US did not require such support.
