Iran's Ghalibaf: Final Deal on Hormuz Still Distant

In a televised address on Saturday night, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, indicated that a final agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz is still far off due to the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. He emphasized that Iran will not allow the crucial maritime trade chokepoint to reopen until the U.S. ends its blockade.

Ghalibaf noted that fundamental gaps remain in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. A two-week ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday unless renewed.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran against attempts to blackmail the U.S. and has stated that the blockade will remain until a final deal is reached.

Tensions have escalated, with reports of Iranian Revolutionary Guard firing on vessels in the Strait and threats to target oil tankers. The situation is further complicated by Iran's stockpile of near weapon-grade enriched uranium, which remains a major sticking point in negotiations.