Iran Keeps Strait of Hormuz Closed, Says Final Deal With US Still Distant

The strategic Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed on Sunday as the standoff between Iran and the United States deepened, with Tehran insisting that a final peace agreement is still “far off” despite ongoing negotiations.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, signalled cautious progress in talks but stressed that key disagreements remain unresolved.

“There has been progress… but there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain. We are still far from the final discussion,” Ghalibaf said in a televised address, underscoring the fragile state of diplomacy.

The latest developments come as mediation efforts involving regional players, including Pakistan and Egypt, continue following high-level talks that ended without a breakthrough.

Iran has maintained that it will not reopen the vital maritime route—through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass—until Washington lifts its blockade on Iranian ports.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump said “very good conversations” were ongoing but warned Tehran against attempting to “blackmail” the United States, adding that Washington would continue to take a firm stance.

READ ALSO:

• Eight Kidnapped UTME Candidates Freed in Benue After Three Days
• Yayi’s emergence, defining moment for unity, equity, progress — Ogun West Professionals
• 2027 Elections: APC Insists No Anointed Candidates in Lagos

The situation has been further complicated by shifting signals from Tehran. On Friday, Iran briefly declared the strait open following a temporary ceasefire tied to efforts to halt hostilities involving Israel and Iran-backed forces in Lebanon. The announcement initially calmed global markets and drove oil prices down.

However, Iran quickly reversed course after the U.S. reiterated that sanctions and maritime restrictions would remain until a comprehensive agreement is reached.

“If America does not lift the blockade, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz will definitely be limited,” Ghalibaf warned.

Tensions escalated further after Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stern warning that any vessel attempting to pass through the strait without authorisation would be considered as cooperating with hostile forces and could be targeted.

Shipping activity in the area has since dropped sharply. While a few oil and gas tankers briefly crossed during the short-lived reopening, most vessels have retreated, leaving the critical waterway largely empty.

Security incidents have heightened fears of escalation. A UK maritime security agency reported that Iranian forces fired at a tanker, while another vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile, causing damage but no casualties. Separately, a commercial vessel was reportedly threatened while attempting to exit the Gulf.

India also lodged a diplomatic protest after two of its flagged vessels were involved in a reported shooting incident in the strait, reflecting growing international concern over the safety of global shipping routes.

On the diplomatic front, negotiations remain deadlocked over Iran’s nuclear programme—particularly its stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium. While Washington has indicated that Iran may be willing to relinquish the material, Tehran has firmly rejected the claim.

Iran’s leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, has insisted that the country will not surrender what it describes as its “legal right” to a peaceful nuclear programme.

“How come the U.S. president declares that Iran should not use its nuclear rights but does not say why?” Pezeshkian said, questioning Washington’s position.

The current crisis traces back to a broader regional conflict that escalated after coordinated military actions involving the United States and Israel earlier this year, which triggered retaliatory strikes and drew in Iran-backed groups across the Middle East.

With a fragile two-week ceasefire set to expire midweek, uncertainty remains high. Analysts warn that failure to reach a deal could lead to renewed hostilities and further disruption to global energy markets.

For now, Iran’s position remains unchanged: no reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without concessions from the United States, and no final agreement until core disputes are resolved.

Iran Keeps Strait of Hormuz Closed, Says Final Deal With US Still Distant

Brazilian President Lula Calls UN Security Council ‘Lords of War’, Slams Trump Over Global Conflicts

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sharply criticised the United Nations Security Council and major world powers, accusing them of fuelling global instability instead of promoting peace.

Speaking on Saturday at an international summit of progressive leaders in Barcelona, Lula called on the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—to “change their behaviour” amid rising global tensions.

He described the permanent members as having shifted from their post-World War II mandate of maintaining peace to becoming what he termed “lords of war.”

“The five members of the Security Council… were supposed to ensure world peace after the Second World War, but have become the lords of war,” Lula said.

The Brazilian leader accused these countries of taking major global decisions without adequate consultation with the United Nations system, saying smaller and poorer nations often bear the consequences of such actions.

Although he did not directly name any leader, Lula appeared to criticise former U.S. President Donald Trump over social media posts and statements he said contributed to escalating tensions, particularly regarding Iran.

READ ALSO:

• Bandits Kidnap Kwara Monarch, Wife, Aide in Overnight Palace Attack
• Former NFF President Ibrahim Galadima Dies at 74
• Police Nab Inspector Over Robbery, Killing of Fuel Attendant

He referenced Trump’s past comments on his Truth Social platform, including warnings tied to the Strait of Hormuz, which he described as inflammatory and dangerous to global peace.

“We cannot wake up every morning and go to bed every night with the president of a republic tweeting, threatening the world and declaring wars,” Lula said.

He stressed that no single world leader, regardless of power, should impose unilateral rules on other nations, adding that global governance must be based on cooperation and respect.

Lula also accused the United Nations of remaining passive in the face of escalating conflicts, saying the institution is failing to fulfil the purpose for which it was created after World War II.

“Today, the United Nations no longer represents the purpose for which it was created,” he said.

The remarks come amid continued global tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with ongoing diplomatic disputes over nuclear development and regional security.

However, some of the conflict details cited in circulating reports remain disputed by official international records and are not independently verified by major global institutions.

Lula used the platform to call for urgent reform of global institutions, insisting that the UN Security Council must be restructured to ensure fairness, transparency, and collective decision-making.

The comments have added to growing international debate over the effectiveness of the UN Security Council, particularly its veto system and its role in resolving modern geopolitical conflicts.

Brazilian President Lula Calls UN Security Council ‘Lords of War’, Slams Trump Over Global Conflicts

Starmer Faces Parliamentary ‘Judgment Day’ Over Security Clearance Scandal

Downing Street has moved to firmly back UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he prepares for a decisive parliamentary showdown described by officials as his “judgment day,” amid growing political pressure over the controversial appointment and vetting of former diplomat Peter Mandelson.

The crisis centres on revelations that serious concerns were raised during security clearance checks linked to Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States—concerns that were allegedly not fully addressed before the decision was finalised. The unfolding row has triggered questions about accountability at the highest levels of government and whether critical information was withheld or overlooked within No. 10.

According to multiple UK media reports, including ITV News and The Standard, Downing Street has now closed ranks around Starmer, insisting he was not made aware of the full details of the failed vetting process at the time key decisions were taken. The Prime Minister has described the situation as “unforgivable,” adding that he only learned the extent of the issues recently.

However, the controversy has intensified after suggestions that senior civil servants, including figures close to the decision-making process, may have been aware of the vetting complications earlier than previously acknowledged. This has deepened scrutiny of how information was handled inside government and raised questions about whether proper escalation procedures were followed.

At the centre of the political storm is Olly Robbins, a senior civil servant who is expected to appear before Members of Parliament in an upcoming parliamentary hearing. His testimony is anticipated to be critical in establishing a timeline of events—specifically who knew what, and when. The hearing is expected to form part of what opposition figures are calling a “full accountability test” for the Prime Minister’s administration.

Inside government, officials have sought to contain the fallout. Downing Street has defended Starmer’s leadership, arguing that swift corrective action was taken once concerns became clear, including personnel changes and internal reviews of vetting procedures. Aides have also emphasised that the Prime Minister acted decisively once new information came to light, framing the issue as a systemic failure rather than personal negligence.

Despite this defence, political pressure is mounting. Opposition parties have demanded greater transparency and accountability, with some lawmakers questioning whether the Prime Minister should have been informed earlier. Critics argue that the scandal reflects broader weaknesses in government oversight and communication between civil service structures and political leadership.

Within the ruling Labour Party, unease has also begun to surface, although most senior figures have publicly maintained support for Starmer. Privately, however, there is concern about the potential political damage if the issue continues to escalate, particularly with key electoral cycles approaching.

The controversy has also revived wider debate about vetting procedures for senior diplomatic and governmental appointments. Security experts and former officials have warned that any breakdown in clearance processes can have serious implications for national security and international trust.

Starmer is expected to address Parliament directly in the coming days, where he will face detailed questioning over what was known inside Downing Street and how the situation was handled once concerns emerged. The session is expected to be one of the most politically sensitive moments of his premiership so far.

For now, Downing Street’s strategy appears focused on containment—reinforcing support for the Prime Minister while shifting attention toward procedural failings rather than leadership accountability. Whether that approach holds will likely depend on the outcome of parliamentary testimony and the political reaction that follows.

As one senior political source put it, the coming days will determine whether the government successfully stabilises the crisis or whether it deepens into a broader test of Starmer’s authority.

Starmer Faces Parliamentary ‘Judgment Day’ Over Security Clearance Scandal