Strait of Hormuz Blockade Resumes After Brief Resumption of Shipping

Tensions in the Persian Gulf intensified Saturday as Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya command reversed a short-lived reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Following a brief Friday resumption of maritime traffic, Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats reportedly fired on a tanker, leadng to renewed restrictions and the continued stranding of over 20,000 seafarers. Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf stated that transit through the waterway would remain restricted as long as the U.S. blockade against Iran persists. On the diplomatic front, Pakistan continues to serve as a key mediator. Following a visit by Army Chief Asim Munir to Tehran, officials suggest a second round of high-level talks could begin in Islamabad as early as Monday. Mediators are reportedly working toward a memorandum of understanding, with Iranian sources signaling potential concessions regarding uranium enrichment to facilitate a broader deal within the next 60 days. Meanwhile, a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah remains in place despite deadly clashes in southern Lebanon. Two IDF soldiers were killed and roughly twelve others wounded in recent incidents. While Israel has begun easing some internal home front restrictions ahead of national holidays, the regional security situation remains volatile as both U.S. and Iranian forces maintain high states of readiness.