🌊 Iran maintains closure of the Strait of Hormuz: Iran said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until what it describes as U.S. interference ends. The IRGC asserted the Strait falls under Iranian sovereignty and said commercial shipping would resume only after Washington ends its involvement and respects the sovereignty of regional coastal states.
⚖️ Military leadership issues regional warnings: Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters declared it would not permit the United States to interfere in management of the Strait. The command warned Iran would respond decisively to any U.S. disruption of commercial shipping outside Iranian-designated routes and said any regional country providing military or logistical support to U.S. forces would be considered to have committed an act of war. Iranian officials further warned that any wider conflict would engulf the region.
📜 Tehran accuses Washington of violating the Hormuz agreement: Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei accused the United States of violating the Memorandum of Understanding governing the Strait of Hormuz before the implementation period outlined in Article 5 had begun. He said Iran entered negotiations in good faith, has never been the first to violate its commitments, and argued the agreement was drafted with "absolute clarity" despite Iran's "absolute and justified suspicions" of the United States.
Baghaei urged observers to examine Article 5 in both Persian and English, saying it clearly preserves Iran's right to protect its security and national interests. He also claimed Washington has already distorted multiple provisions of the fourteen-article Memorandum.
🛰️ Iran outlines its diplomatic position: Baghaei said Iran's military operations target only U.S. bases and facilities involved in attacks against Iran, including logistical and support sites. He warned any territory used by the United States or Israel to launch attacks could become a legitimate target for Iranian defensive measures.
He rejected reports that Iran is seeking negotiations, calling them psychological warfare and publicity stunts, and said Tehran will determine its response at the appropriate time. He also confirmed Iran rejected the IAEA's request for access to nuclear facilities, reaffirmed Tehran's "commitment in exchange for commitment" policy, confirmed preparations for Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's upcoming visit, and dismissed President Trump's recent statements as psychological warfare.
✈️ Saudi airstrikes reopen the Yemen front: Saudi fighter jets reportedly carried out multiple airstrikes against Sana'a International Airport in Houthi-controlled Yemen. Yemen's Defense Ministry said the runway was struck to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing. Iranian media later reported the aircraft diverted safely to Al-Hodeidah Airport.
🚨 Houthis threaten retaliation: The Houthis declared Saudi Arabia had ended the de-escalation phase and started a new war, warning the strikes would not go unanswered. Yemen's Defense Ministry said it would confront aircraft violating Yemeni airspace using all available means.
The head of the Saudi-backed Yemeni Presidential Council accused the Houthis of deliberately receiving an Iranian flight outside Yemen's legal framework despite offers to restore civilian flights through official channels, placing responsibility for the escalation on both the Houthis and Iran. Earlier, Yemen's Information Minister alleged the Houthis detained a Red Cross aircraft at Sana'a Airport and took both pilots into custody.
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