Iran detains oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz and sets seven conditions for ceasefire talks

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Friday that it had struck and detained the Togolese-flagged oil tanker Trend as it attempted what Tehran described as an "illegal passage" through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. Since late February, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Tehran has maintained an effective blockade of this strategically important waterway. The blockade aims to charge tolls on vessels and prevent ships from using alternative shipping routes, with Iran attacking those it accuses of evasion.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency separately reported a security incident 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, on Thursday, though it did not confirm whether this referred to the same vessel. The incident occurred as US President Donald Trump was reportedly considering a major decision regarding Iran.

Amid the ongoing confrontation, Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that Tehran has established seven conditions that must be fulfilled before it will resume ceasefire negotiations with Washington, according to Iran International. While the specific conditions were not fully disclosed, the announcement suggests that despite months of conflict and significant economic damage from the naval blockade, Iran is not yet willing to return to negotiations without preconditions.