Iran Issues Strait of Hormuz Warning as U.S.-Israel Intelligence Rift Deepens

Iran has entered a phase of active diplomatic brinkmanship, with Parliamentary Speaker Bagher Kalibaf issuing a high-profile warning to the United States and Israel. Kalibaf asserted that Iran will not tolerate interference in the Strait of Hormuz or any disrespect to its national sovereignty. This rhetorical shift comes as Tehran formally rejected a proposal from President Trump to open the strategic waterway in exchange for the unfreezing of Iranian funds, contradicting earlier claims that a deal was imminent. Simultaneously, a significant rift has emerged in the U.S.-Israel alliance. Reports indicate that during negotiations in Doha, the U.S. shared intelligence with Iran regarding alleged Israeli sabotage plans, an effort intended to prevent further military escalation during the current leadership transition in Tehran. While commercial shipping has begun a gradual return to the region following a recent ceasefire, traffic remains below pre-conflict levels as uncertainty persists. On the diplomatic front, Russia continues to signal its support for Iran, with special emissary Dmitry Medvedev arriving in Tehran to honor the late Supreme Leader Khamenei. Global energy markets have reacted to these developments with a slight increase in oil prices, reflecting sensitivity to the ongoing stalemate. While public warnings remain sharp, regional observers note that multilateral back-channel discussions involving the UK, France, and Oman are ongoing in an attempt to stabilize the waterway.