US, Iran Duel Over Control of Hormuz, Each Insisting Time Is on Its Side

The war has reached a stage where negotiations are needed to bring it to a close. Instead, the US and Iran are each seizing ships to demonstrate control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state television on April 23 aired footage from April 22 showing masked troops in speedboats approaching two commercial vessels and boarding by rope ladder. The video showed the soldiers entering the ships, threatening crew with guns and taking them over. Iran said the vessels had tried to transit the strait without authorization.

Washington hit back. President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on April 24 that the US had "complete control" and that the strait was "firmly sealed." He said he had ordered the Navy to sink any vessel laying mines in the area and that minesweepers were clearing the waterway with operations tripled. Brent crude for June delivery jumped more than 4% to $106 a barrel as the developments were read as a sign that the chances of US-Iran talks had diminished further.

Iran says the US must first lift its maritime blockade before negotiations can resume. Washington is maintaining the pressure, leaving the two sides locked in a standoff. Both insist time is on their side.

Even with the US enforcing a counter-blockade, there are signs it cannot fully control trade with Iran. There are limits to seizing third-country ships seeking to buy Iranian oil and other goods. Detaining Russian or Chinese vessels would risk a major diplomatic clash with those governments.

Iranian ships can be seized because they are under sanctions, but bringing all of them under control appears difficult. Iran said on April 24 that an Iranian ship carrying food had arrived safely under escort from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Even so, ordinary commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has all but disappeared as both sides block the waterway.

Trump told Fox News on April 23 that there was no deadline for a ceasefire, while also saying he was optimistic talks with Iran could take place within 72 hours. In reality, he appears worried that no meeting will materialize. Trump tends to avoid a topic on social media when events are not going well.

That pattern was visible over the past two days. Trump's Truth Social posts did not criticize Iran's seizure of vessels. The silence contrasted with last Friday, when he posted repeatedly and continued giving media interviews as he expressed strong confidence that negotiations would go well.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on April 23 that the seizure did not violate the ceasefire agreement because the ships were "not American or Israeli." The comment suggested the administration was mindful of Iran's response. Trump also struck a soothing tone when he spoke to reporters shortly before publication, saying the US would "not use nuclear weapons" against Iran.

Another ceasefire front, Lebanon, is also proving difficult. Lebanese and Israeli government officials met at the White House on April 24. The venue was moved from the State Department after Trump decided to attend.

Sentiment had been upbeat when a ceasefire in Lebanon was agreed last week. Contrary to the conventional view that the Lebanese government could not influence Hezbollah, the agreement raised expectations in Washington that talks with Iran might also advance.

Israel has since continued airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The ceasefire terms include a provision allowing self-defense, and Israel is also signaling an intention to manage southern Lebanon in the way it has handled Palestinian territories.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he was waiting for a US green light to start the war. He also said Mojtaba Khamenei would be the top target if attacks begin and warned that Iran would be plunged into a dark age. Markets are closely watching the outcome of the April 24 meeting for any clue on whether negotiations with Iran might resume.

Lee Sang-eun, Washington correspondent, Hankyung.com, selee@hankyung.com