Tehran warns of military confrontation if negotiations with Washington collapse, while tensions escalate over Strait of Hormuz control and ceasefire compliance
The speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Saturday that Tehran is prepared for a military confrontation with the United States if proposed peace talks fail.
Speaking to state-run outlet PressTV, Ghalibaf stated that “it is not the case that we think just because we are negotiating, the armed forces are not ready,” adding that “just as the people are in the streets, our armed forces are also ready.”
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on social media that it would reassert control over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. The United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports since last week.
“It is announced that until the US ends its obstruction of the full freedom of movement of vessels from and to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain under strict control and in its previous state,” the IRGC said in a post on X.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators would arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening ahead of a second round of talks with Iran. Tehran has not immediately confirmed the planned discussions. Trump also warned that the United States could target Iran’s energy and transport infrastructure if it rejects Washington’s proposed deal.
It remains unclear whether either side has shifted positions on key unresolved issues that derailed the previous round of negotiations, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, its regional proxy network, and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire by Wednesday. A separate 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, announced by Trump last week, appears to be holding.
Ghalibaf, who is also a leading negotiator in talks with Washington, said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed for now due to the ongoing U.S. blockade.
“It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot,” he said, adding that vessel traffic would remain restricted if the blockade is not lifted, according to state media.
Separately, a senior Iranian military official indicated that the country is rebuilding its weapons stockpile during the ceasefire period. According to Tasnim News, IRGC general Majid Mousavi said efforts to replenish missile and drone launch platforms have accelerated.
“During the ceasefire period, our speed in updating and refilling missile and drone launch platforms is even greater than before the war,” Mousavi said.
Trump on Sunday accused Tehran of violating ceasefire terms in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Truth Social post.
“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” he wrote, adding that the targeted vessel was French. “That wasn’t nice, was it?”
He further stated that Washington is “offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL,” warning that failure to accept it could lead to U.S. strikes on Iran’s infrastructure.
“I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
