Iran MP rejects US claims of maritime blockade, says ships continue normal operations

A senior Iranian official said on Thursday Israel was forced to accept a ceasefire following what he described as “brave resistance” by Hezbollah and the Lebanese people.

Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the Supreme Leader’s representative to Iran’s Supreme Defense Council, said the “Zionist enemy” had been compelled to retreat and agree to a ceasefire.

"The courageous resistance of the people of Lebanon and the brothers of Hezbollah has finally forced the Zionist enemy to retreat and accept a ceasefire. Iran has always regarded support for the resistance as an important strategic and defensive principle. Today, thanks to the blood of the martyrs and the martyred leader, the victorious front of the unified resistance is more powerful and steadfast than ever," he posted on X.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he discussed economic pressure on Iran and Ukraine’s reconstruction during a meeting with a senior European Union official.

"I updated Commissioner Dombrovskis on actions taken by the US Treasury to apply maximum economic force against the Iranian regime through Economic Fury, and we held productive talks on critical minerals supply chains and the reconstruction of Ukraine," Bessent posted on X.

The benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq closed at record highs for a second straight day on Thursday as investors bet that the worst of the Middle East conflict may have passed.

Optimism followed Israel’s agreement to a temporary ceasefire with Lebanon and comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting Washington and Tehran could meet again over the weekend.

Trading was choppy, however, after Trump formally announced the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and told reporters that Iran had offered not to pursue nuclear weapons for more than 20 years.

The United States said on Thursday its naval blockade is targeting Iran’s ports and coastline, not the Strait of Hormuz, as American forces step up enforcement operations in regional waters.

"US forces are NOT blockading the Strait of Hormuz. More than 10,000 American service members, 12+ ships, and 100+ aircraft have enforced the blockade in regional waters, ensuring that no vessels violate the President's proclamation," CENTCOM posted on X.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Israel of violating basic moral principles and criticized what he described as double standards over nuclear weapons in a series of posts on X on Thursday.

Pezeshkian said he had previously called at the United Nations for adherence to a “Golden Rule” shared across religions, urging others to treat people as they themselves would wish to be treated.