Iran Restricts Strait of Hormuz Traffic Amid Heightened U.S. Military Threats

The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of regional instability as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned of potential anti-ship mines, limiting vessel passage to just 15 per day. Citing a 'state of war,' Tehran advised maritime traffic to avoid primary routes, claiming these measures are necessary for safety and coordination with Oman. This development has caused a rise in global oil prices and prompted concerns regarding the viability of the current 14-day brokerage agreement. In response to the maritime restrictions and regional posturing, President Donald Trump has reiterated his stance on military force, warning of 'bigger, better, and stronger' attacks if Iran violates ceasefire protocols. Despite the escalatory rhetoric, high-level diplomatic efforts continue. Vice President JD Vance, along with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, are scheduled to lead a U.S. delegation for negotiations in Islamabad this weekend. Vance noted there are 'many points of agreement,' though Iranian officials remain skeptical of U.S. diplomatic sincerity. Simultaneously, the conflict has widened in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have reportedly killed over 250 people in a single day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly rejected including Lebanon in the Pakistan-brokered truce, asserting that Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah targets to protect its northern residents. This stance has drawn sharp criticism from U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who labeled the escalation 'deeply damaging' and joined Tehran in calling the strikes a violation of the spirit of the ongoing ceasefire efforts.