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Update: Iran Reportedly Halts Talks With US, Threatens to Block Strait of Hormuz

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(Updates with Trump's reported comments in paragraphs 6-9.)

Iran will cease indirect communications with the US and plans to fully close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for alleged ceasefire violations, according to local media reports on Monday.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the truce agreement between the US and Iran applies to "all fronts, including in Lebanon," adding that a breach in one area constitutes a violation of the broader arrangement.

"The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon," Araghchi said, adding that the US-Israeli alliance is responsible for the consequences of any violation.

Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf also said on Monday that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and Israel's renewed attacks in Lebanon will come at a price for Washington and Tel Aviv.

"The naval blockade and escalation of war crimes in Lebanon by the genocidal Zionist regime are clear evidence of US noncompliance with the ceasefire," Ghalibaf said in a social media post on X.

Responding to the news, President Donald Trump reportedly told NBC News that Iran had not informed the US about the decision.

"It's an appropriate thing to say, because they're better negotiators than they are fighters," he told NBC via a phone interview. "But they haven't informed us of that."

"It doesn't mean we're going to go and start dropping bombs all over there," Trump said, adding that the US naval blockade will remain in effect, "We'll keep the blockade."

On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social that the US maritime blockade will be lifted. "Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of 'heading home!'," he posted.

Crude prices rallied over 7% following the remarks from Iranian officials. Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude futures jumped 7.30% to $93.77 per barrel, while Brent futures advanced 6.47% to $97.04/bbl.

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