Trump: No Planned Talks with Iran; Tensions Persist in Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that there are no planned talks with Iran, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that a U.S. blockade is in full effect. The statement follows the conclusion of a 60-day negotiating period between the U.S. and Iran that ended without a clear resolution. Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an unidentified projectile struck a ship exiting the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in crew casualties off the coast of Oman. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, reiterated that Tehran will maintain its control over the waterway until the U.S. meets conditions including the lifting of oil sanctions and an end to military operations. In other regional developments, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed a drone attack on a Saudi Aramco oil refinery. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Trump in a phone call to prioritize diplomacy to resolve the conflict. Trump has expressed support for a recent joint defense agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, describing it as a positive step for regional stability.