France, UK to hold Hormuz conference on navigation mission, Macron says

A senior Iranian lawmaker said on Monday that Tehran had agreed to dilute 450 kilograms of enriched uranium as a goodwill measure, but the United States later backed out of the arrangement.

Ali Nikzad, deputy speaker of parliament, said a consortium was supposed to be formed inside Iran to dilute the uranium with the participation of the United States and Saudi Arabia.

He also said the United States had proposed creating a legal regime for the Strait of Hormuz that would include an American role.

“You have no business in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf,” he said, referring to the United States.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that the United States and Iran were sincere about a ceasefire and understood the need to maintain it.

Fidan said he saw no obstacle to reopening the Strait of Hormuz through negotiations, but warned questions remained over potential new regulations.

He added that there were many difficulties in forming an international force in the Strait of Hormuz and that the waterway should be reopened through diplomacy.

Australia’s navy would be ready to contribute to an international effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the government decided to assist, the country’s new defense chief said on Monday.

Mark Hammond said the force remained prepared for such a mission, but no request had been made.

“The navy is ready as it ever has been,” he said. “The question of a contribution is one consideration by the Australian government, should they receive a request. And there’s been no such request.”

Britain would not be dragged into the war involving Iran and does not support a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Starmer said it was vital to ensure the key waterway remained open.

“It is, in my view, vital that we get the Strait open and fully open, and that's where we've put all of our efforts,” he said.

Restoration of Iran’s internet access would depend on a decision by security officials, Iran’s government spokeswoman said on Monday.

Fatemeh Mohajerani made the comment to Iran-based news website Didban Iran when asked about the timing of reconnecting internet access in Iran.

She did not give a timeline for when the internet shutdown would end.