Dubai — Semiofficial media outlets in Iran on Thursday released a chart indicating that the country’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may have deployed sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz during recent hostilities, signaling potential leverage as a fragile ceasefire enters its early days.
The development comes amid uncertainty surrounding a two-week truce involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, with further negotiations expected to take place in Pakistan.
While the ceasefire has largely held, Tehran and Washington have presented conflicting interpretations of its terms. Iran has claimed it secured the right to control the Strait of Hormuz, impose transit tolls, and continue uranium enrichment. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained that the agreement requires the waterway to remain open and mandates Iran to relinquish its uranium stockpile.
The chart, published by ISNA and Tasnim news agencies, depicted a “danger zone” over established shipping lanes in the strait, a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies have historically passed. The map suggested vessels diverting closer to Iranian territorial waters near Larak Island, a route reportedly used by some ships during the conflict. It remains unclear whether any mines have since been cleared.
Global markets reacted cautiously to the ongoing tensions. Oil prices climbed above $97 per barrel, with Brent crude rising 2.9 percent to $97.46 and U.S. benchmark crude gaining 3.7 percent to $97.94. Asian equities declined, reflecting skepticism over the durability of the ceasefire.
Shipping activity through the strait appeared limited. Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler showed only four vessels with active tracking systems transiting the waterway on the first day of the truce, although the figure excludes so-called “dark fleet” ships that operate with tracking systems turned off, often transporting sanctioned Iranian oil.
Trump signaled continued military pressure, stating that U.S. forces would remain deployed in the region until full compliance with what he described as the “real agreement.” In a social media post, he warned of a significantly escalated response should the terms not be met, while reiterating that Iran would not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and secure.
Despite the ceasefire, violence has persisted in the region. Israel intensified strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including attacks in Beirut that resulted in at least 182 fatalities, according to reports. Additional overnight strikes in southern Lebanon reportedly killed at least seven more people, though the Israeli military did not immediately comment.
The continued hostilities have raised concerns about the stability of the agreement. JD Vance described the truce as “fragile,” while Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said planned negotiations were “unreasonable,” citing alleged violations of Tehran’s conditions, including continued Israeli strikes and reported incursions into Iranian airspace.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that the ceasefire extended to Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump have both said the agreement does not cover operations there. Pakistani officials, who helped mediate the deal, have suggested it applies broadly across the region.
A U.S.-based think tank, The Soufan Center, warned that the ceasefire remains at risk of collapse, noting that the scale of Israeli strikes could be perceived as escalatory regardless of formal terms.
The White House confirmed that Vance will lead the U.S. delegation to upcoming talks in Islamabad scheduled to begin Saturday. Iran is expected to send a negotiating team, although details remain unclear after initial announcements were withdrawn.
Iran has indicated it will push for a framework based on 10 conditions, including uranium enrichment and control over the Strait of Hormuz, positions that U.S. officials have repeatedly rejected.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
