Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Sunday that 28 commercial vessels, including oil tankers, container ships, and other cargo carriers, successfully passed through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz during the previous 24 hours under the supervision and protection of the IRGC Navy. The statement came amid ongoing regional tensions and continued disagreements between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear programme and maritime activities in the Gulf.
IRGC Claims Firm Control Over Strait of Hormuz
According to the IRGC, naval forces have maintained constant oversight of the crucial waterway, which serves as one of the world's most important routes for global energy supplies. “Intelligent control of the Strait of Hormuz is being carried out continuously and with firmness and authority,” IRGC said. The announcement appeared aimed at highlighting Iran’s ability to secure maritime traffic despite growing geopolitical tensions in the region.
Trump Says Iran Offered Assurances
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he had received assurances that Iran would not seek to develop nuclear weapons. His remarks suggested some level of progress in discussions between the two countries. However, Iranian officials have repeatedly questioned several public statements made by Trump regarding the negotiations. Tehran has maintained that significant differences remain unresolved and that a final agreement is still far from complete.
Iran Demands Release of Frozen Assets
Iranian officials have insisted that any broader agreement with the United States must include the release of roughly $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets before meaningful negotiations can move forward.
Tehran has also pushed back against reports suggesting that it would agree to eliminate its stockpile of enriched uranium under a future nuclear deal. Iran continues to argue that its nuclear programme is peaceful and has resisted demands that would significantly limit its uranium reserves.
US Military Stops Vessel Heading to Iran
As diplomatic tensions persisted, the US military revealed that it had taken action against a cargo vessel attempting to reach an Iranian port. According to the US Central Command (Centcom), a Gambia-flagged cargo ship identified as M/V Lian Star failed to respond to repeated warnings while travelling through regional waters. Centcom said the incident took place on May 29 after the vessel ignored more than 20 communications from US forces.
Hellfire Missile Used to Disable Ship
The US military stated that it eventually disabled the vessel by targeting its engine room with a Hellfire missile. “A US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after Lian Star’s crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran,” Centcom said on X. The action effectively stopped the vessel from continuing its journey toward Iran, according to the US military.
Iran Accuses Washington of Undermining Diplomacy
Iran reacted sharply to the latest developments. Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, accused Washington of undermining diplomatic efforts. Speaking on Saturday, Rezaei claimed the United States had abandoned genuine negotiations and continued to increase pressure on Tehran. He accused Washington of “betraying diplomacy” and alleged that Trump was “making excessive demands” while maintaining what he described as a naval blockade against Iran.
Tensions Remain High
The latest exchange of statements highlights the continuing mistrust between Iran and the United States. While both sides have indicated interest in reaching an agreement, major disagreements remain over sanctions relief, frozen assets, nuclear restrictions, and regional security issues. With military incidents occurring alongside diplomatic talks, uncertainty continues to surround the future of US-Iran relations and the security of key shipping routes in the Gulf region.