Iran-US war latest: Tehran vows ‘no place for retreat’ over Strait of Hormuz despite Vance claiming progress

Iran plans to double its income through the vital shipping route as global oil and gas supplies remain upended

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Iran has further tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz by cutting deals with Iraq and Pakistan to ship oil and liquefied natural gas from the region, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

An army spokesperson said that supervision of the vital shipping route could generate twice as much revenue as Iran’s oil income.

“After this war ends, there will be no place for retreat,” the spokesperson said, according to comments carried by ISNA news agency.

But US vice president JD Vance insisted that progress was being made in negotiations.

“The fundamental question is, do we make enough ⁠progress that we satisfy the President's red line?” he told reporters at the White House.

“And the red line is very simple. He needs to feel confident that we put a number of protections in place such that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”

Meanwhile, Israel is concerned that Donald Trump could get fed up with the deadlocked crisis in the Middle East and cut a “bad deal” with Iran, according to a report. The US leader is currently on a trip to Beijing to meet Xi Jinping.

• ‘Terrified’ family of British couple jailed in Iran can’t get in contact with them
• Trump’s remarkable military failure shows abject fiasco of his Iran war
• Trump brushes off Iran war’s cost at home: ‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation’
• Why Modi is asking people in India to stop buying gold

Briefing: What we know on the 76th day of US-Israel war on Iran

• Iran has strengthened its control over the Strait of Hormuz by making oil and LNG shipping deals with Iraq and Pakistan, according to Reuters.
• US vice president JD Vance said negotiations with Iran were making progress. He said the key US demand is ensuring Iran can “never have a nuclear weapon”.
• Donald Trump is currently in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping amid the crisis.
• Israel reportedly fears Trump could eventually agree to a “bad deal” with Iran if diplomacy remains stalled.
• The EU said it does not expect a major short-term jet fuel supply crisis from the conflict, though longer-term risks remain.
• Iran accused Kuwait of unlawfully attacking and detaining four Iranian citizens near a Gulf island reportedly used by US forces.
• Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon killed civilians, including children, as tensions with Hezbollah continue.
• The UAE publicly called for diplomacy with Iran, despite reports alleging it secretly carried out strikes during the conflict.

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