Iran says Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened due to ceasefire breaches

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator, said on Wednesday that it is "not possible" for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened due to "the blatant violations of the ceasefire" by the US and Israel. He said the "violations" include the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and "warmongering" by Israel "on all fronts".

Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's President, said Iran remains open to negotiations, but "breach of commitments, blockade and threats are main obstacles to genuine negotiations". Donald Trump, US President, announced on Tuesday night an extension to the US-Iran ceasefire that was due to expire on Wednesday. Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, clarified that Trump's extension is open-ended and has no new deadline, and that Trump is "satisfied" with the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran. Clashes continue in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran announced it had "seized" two ships in the strait.

On Wednesday morning, Iran said two cargo ships were taken in the Strait of Hormuz for "inspection" following reports of attacks on three cargo ships in the strait. Euphoria, one of the three container ships attacked, appears to have dropped anchor near a port in the United Arab Emirates. Vanguard reported Euphoria was attacked eight nautical miles west of Iran. Iran said it seized MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, both of which reported damage. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) Navy said the ships were "operating without authorisation" and committed "repeated violations". Giorgos Gerapetritis, Greek Foreign Minister, confirmed that the Epaminondas, a Greek-owned ship, had been attacked. The US Defense Department announced on Wednesday that the US Secretary of the Navy would depart his post "effective immediately".