Iran questions U.S. claim it lifted Strait of Hormuz naval blockade

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran views Washington’s announcement that it had lifted a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz with skepticism. He said the future management of the waterway would be determined through coordination between Oman and Iran, which border the strait. Baghaei said hostile ships are barred from passing through the strait, while commercial vessels cross in coordination with Iranian forces. He said it remained to be seen whether claims that the naval blockade had been lifted were true. The senior official also said details of nuclear talks were not being discussed at this stage. He said Iran acts according to its national interests and that Western parties cannot use an instructive tone toward Iran. U.S. President Trump said on Friday that he had lifted the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and that the waterway should be opened immediately to international maritime traffic.