Donald Trump had criticised Iran’s management of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Tehran’s actions were not in line with the terms of the ceasefire agreement reached with the United States.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump said Iran was doing a “very poor job” handling the vital shipping route, through which roughly 20 per cent of global oil supplies pass. He specifically warned against any attempt by Tehran to impose fees on tankers transiting the waterway, describing such a move as unacceptable under the existing agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz had been central to the two-week conditional ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with its reopening seen as a key component in stabilising global energy markets after weeks of disruption. However, there had been no clear confirmation that shipping had fully resumed without restrictions.
Trump’s remarks came as tensions persisted across the wider region, particularly in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and Hezbollah had continued despite the ceasefire framework. Overnight strikes and early Friday attacks were reported, further complicating efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
An Iranian official had described the continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon as a “grave violation” of the ceasefire terms, though both the United States and Israel disputed whether Lebanon was covered under the agreement.
Diplomatic efforts to sustain the fragile truce were ongoing, with planned talks between US and Iranian officials expected to take place in Islamabad over the weekend. JD Vance was scheduled to attend alongside an Iranian delegation, but uncertainty remained over whether the meeting would proceed as planned. A senior official in Tehran said arrangements were “not finalised yet.”
Concerns over ceasefire violations were also raised at the international level. Jean-Noël Barrot and Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed the situation in a call, expressing alarm over what they described as serious breaches in Lebanon and stressing the need for full compliance with the ceasefire terms.
Pakistan had positioned itself as a key mediator in the crisis, preparing to host both delegations as part of efforts to create a diplomatic pathway toward longer-term stability. Security was heightened in Islamabad ahead of the anticipated talks, with roads around the Red Zonehome to major government buildings and foreign embassies reportedly shut.
The developments underscored the fragility of the ceasefire, as disputes over its scope, continued military actions, and disagreements over critical elements such as the Strait of Hormuz threatened to derail progress toward a broader resolution.
Erizia Rubyjeana
