Iran reasserts Hormuz control as US deal remains elusive

Saturday, May 30, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

Iran's armed forces said Saturday they exercise "full authority" over the Strait of Hormuz and that commercial and military vessels must follow designated routes and obtain IRGC Navy permission — or risk being targeted. The warning came as President Donald Trump's Friday Situation Room meeting on a draft ceasefire extension and Hormuz reopening ended without an announced decision, and Tehran said no final agreement had been reached.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, at a Singapore defense summit, said Washington was "more than capable" of restarting the war if a satisfactory deal is not reached. Separately, U.S. Central Command said it stopped a Gambia-flagged cargo ship attempting to breach the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports by firing a missile into its engine room. Trump's public red lines include Iran never obtaining a nuclear weapon and reopening Hormuz to unrestricted shipping without tolls.

What's confirmed

Al Jazeera/AFP: Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters asserted full management of Hormuz and warned vessels that violate IRGC Navy rules (Al Jazeera/AFP).
AP/BBC: Trump's roughly two-hour Situation Room meeting concluded Friday without a decision on the tentative MoU; Iran's Baghaei said no deal is finalized (AP/BBC).
BBC/AFP: Hegseth said U.S. stockpiles are suited to resume strikes if needed; a White House official said any deal must meet Trump's red lines (BBC/AFP).
AP: CENTCOM said U.S. forces disabled the cargo ship Lian Star after more than 20 warnings as it tried to enter an Iranian port (AP).

What's still developing

Whether Trump issues a "final determination" on the 60-day ceasefire/Hormuz MoU this weekend.
Iranian parliamentary moves on formal Hormuz sovereignty claims and any reply to U.S. text on mines, tolls and enriched uranium.
How the Lian Star incident and continued blockade affect negotiation timing.

Sources

Al Jazeera — Iran reasserts control over Hormuz Strait as deal with US remains elusive link
BBC News — No deal announced after Trump meeting to make 'final determination' on Iran link
AP News — Trump weighs whether to go with Iran deal but hasn't decided yet link
AFP / France 24 — US says capable of resuming war with Iran as deal remains elusive link
AP News — US military stops another merchant ship in Iranian port blockade link