Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed as military tensions escalate

Tehran has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington meets key conditions, including lifting petroleum sanctions, unfreezing assets, ending port blockades, and halting military operations. Although U.S. President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the strategic passage within seven days for peace talks, Iranian officials stated they are still awaiting a "definitive position" from the U.S. government.

Concurrently, military confrontations in the waterway are intensifying. Following a U.S. strike on Iran's Larak Island and nighttime naval escorts for commercial oil tankers, Iranian forces responded by deploying rocket-launched naval mines into the strategic corridor.

Sources: Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)