Tehran: Iran has asserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the strategic maritime corridor closed to vessels that violate its navigation restrictions, even as prospects of renewed negotiations with the United States have eased some concerns over energy supply disruptions.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported Thursday that a tanker travelling through a restricted and unsafe area east of the Strait of Hormuz was damaged and caught fire after hitting a naval mine. The Iranian Army Navy said the incident had left the vessel unable to move and warned commercial ships against entering prohibited areas without coordination.
“The Strait of Hormuz is closed to violating ships that intend to pass through prohibited and unsafe areas without coordination and relying on the lies of the US President,” the navy said, warning that unauthorised movements posed serious risks to vessels and crews.
Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials said the waterway would remain closed until Iran’s conditions were met.
The IRGC also rejected claims by US Central Command (CENTCOM) regarding minesweeping operations in the strait, demanding independent evidence to substantiate the US military’s statements.
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Mohebbi invoked the 1956 Suez Crisis, saying that strategic chokepoints had historically exposed the limits of major powers. He added that control of the Strait of Hormuz was determined by military realities on the ground, in the air and at sea, rather than by media narratives.
Iran denies US claims over surveillance drone
The maritime tensions also come amid conflicting claims over military operations in the region.
Iranian state television reported Thursday that the IRGC had detected and identified an American MQM-170 Outlaw surveillance drone during an electronic warfare operation, taken control of its systems and landed it intact on Iranian territory. It did not specify when the alleged seizure took place.
US Central Command rejected the claim.
“In the past weeks and months, the IRGC has repeatedly lied out of desperation, and today is no different,” CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins said in an email, without providing further details.
Iran made a similar claim in 2011, saying it had brought down an American RQ-170 Sentinel drone through an “electronic ambush”. US officials said the drone had malfunctioned.
Crude oil prices fall as hopes of US-Iran talks emerge
Despite Iran’s latest statements on the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil futures declined on Thursday as the prospect of renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran eased some concerns about geopolitical disruptions.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), crude oil futures for November delivery fell by Rs 167, or 1.70 per cent, to Rs 9,631 per barrel. The December contract declined by Rs 70, or nearly 1 per cent, to Rs 9,619 per barrel.
“MCX crude oil futures are trading under pressure as easing diplomatic tensions between the US and Iran weigh on prices, with Brent slipping toward USD 114 per barrel from four-year highs,” said Pinky Yadav, Commodity Fundamental Analyst at Choice Broking.
According to reports, US Vice President JD Vance has reached out to Iranian Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei to explore restarting negotiations. The outreach came as President Donald Trump considered resuming military strikes against Iran after next week’s US midterm elections.
The letter, sent at Trump’s direction, reportedly focuses on establishing a framework for negotiations rather than presenting a detailed peace proposal.
In international markets, Brent crude futures for December delivery fell nearly 1 per cent to $114.36 per barrel on the Intercontinental Exchange, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures declined 1.3 per cent to $101.44 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Pentagon removes top military planner as Trump weighs Iran strikes
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon’s top military planner, from his position as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The move comes as Trump weighs renewed military action against Iran in the eight-month-long war involving the United States and Israel.
A defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters, said no immediate replacement had been named for Sylvia and no reason had been given for his removal. The move was first reported by The Atlantic.
Sylvia is the second general to be removed from the position, commonly known as the “J5”, under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October.
The J5 director and staff are typically responsible for developing and coordinating military plans with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president.
A Joint Staff spokesperson thanked Sylvia and his family for his 32 years of service and wished them well.
Trump has repeatedly threatened further military operations against Iran, saying he wants to “finish the job” after launching the war with Israel eight months ago. He has said new strikes remain an option after next week’s US midterm elections, although officials say he has not made a final decision.
Two diplomats briefed on the matter said US officials had told several West Asian countries and regional allies to prepare for possible renewed military action after the elections and for the possibility of Iranian retaliation. A third US aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are also heading to the region.
Sylvia previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025, and had served as vice director for the J5.
He is among nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other senior military leaders who have been fired, forced to retire or otherwise departed during Hegseth’s tenure, with most departures not publicly explained by the Pentagon.
Hegseth said last month that he had ordered a doubling of planned cuts to the number of top officers, targeting a 20 per cent reduction by January 1, 2027. The military currently has roughly 800 flag and general officer positions.
The developments come as Iran maintains its claim of control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route, while Washington weighs its next steps and oil markets react to competing signals of possible diplomacy and renewed conflict.
