Washington/Tehran: The fragile pause in hostilities between Iran and Israel faces renewed uncertainty after reported attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, even as the United States announced an open-ended extension of its ceasefire with Tehran.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that Washington would continue the ceasefire indefinitely, despite stalled diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. A planned second round of talks, expected to be hosted in Islamabad, has been put on hold after Iran signaled reluctance to return to the negotiating table.
The White House also suspended Vice President JD Vance’s proposed visit to Pakistan, further indicating a slowdown in diplomatic engagement. While Iranian officials acknowledged the ceasefire extension, they stopped short of committing to fresh negotiations.
At the same time, tensions in the region escalated following reports that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard targeted a third vessel in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media outlets stated that the vessel, identified as “Euphoria,” was attacked and later left stranded near Iranian waters. Details surrounding the incident remain limited.
Earlier, two other ships were reportedly seized by Iranian forces in the same region, raising concerns about maritime security along one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes.
The developments have cast doubt on the prospects of a near-term resolution to the conflict, with both military and diplomatic fronts showing signs of strain. Analysts warn that continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz could have wider implications for global energy supplies and regional security.
Despite the ceasefire extension, the situation remains fluid, with uncertainty over whether negotiations will resume in the coming days.
