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US Centcom Flags Elevated Risk in Strait of Hormuz; Iranian Sources Dispute Trump's Deal Claims

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The US Naval Forces Central Command on Friday kept the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz at "critical," warning that ongoing military activity could increase risks for commercial vessels operating in the area.

"Military operations will be conducted within the area north of the Musandam Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz," US Centcom said in an advisory published by the Joint Maritime Information Center.

It described Iran's efforts to assert control over the Strait as "illegal."

"Iran continues to attempt illegal control of the Strait of Hormuz, to include dangerous and illegal mining that places ships and mariners at risk," according to the advisory.

The advisory also alleged that Iran continues to place mines in the Strait, hindering safe passage.

"Iran continues to impede mine clearance and safe transit of the Strait of Hormuz," the advisory said.

US Centcom warned vessels to follow instructions from US forces and avoid areas affected by military operations and mine-clearing activities.

Any vessel involved in or supporting mine-laying operations could be treated as a threat and targeted in self-defense, Centcom said.

Earlier on Friday, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that any mines placed in the Strait of Hormuz would be removed.

"All water mines (bombs), if any, will be terminated (we have removed, through detonation, numerous such mines with our great underwater mine sweepers. Iran will complete the immediate removal and/or detonation of any mines that are left, which will not be many!)," Trump posted.

Trump also lifted the US naval blockade against Iran in the Gulf of Oman and urged that the Strait be opened immediately.

"The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions," Trump said.

However, Iranian sources reportedly disputed Trump's description of a proposed agreement, saying key elements of his statements do not match the agreement under review, according to Fars News Agency, citing sources.

The sources reportedly told Fars that the draft agreement does not require Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without conditions or fees.

Instead, Iran plans to restore navigation under its existing framework, which could include vessel monitoring, inspections and maritime security measures.

The report also disputed Trump's claim that Iran would dismantle or destroy its nuclear materials, with sources saying the memorandum of understanding contains no such provision.

The agreement follows a commitment-for-commitment structure and remains in the final stages of review in Iran, while authorities have not yet made a final decision on ratification, the report said.

Separately, Esmail Baghaei, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called the US naval blockade illegal and said it violated both the ceasefire and international navigation rights, according to remarks carried by the IRGC News Channel on Friday.

Baghaei said Iran will judge US intentions by actions rather than statements and argued that any removal of the blockade would merely reverse measures that should never have been implemented.

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