Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency aired footage on Sunday, August 2, 2026, showing vessels "waiting for permission" from Iran to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The agency emphasized that Iranian authorities have declared the strait remains closed and that passage is allowed only at the discretion of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Contradicting reports that Tehran accepted a proposal by Qatari mediators to resume operations in the waterway, Fars cited a source from the Iranian negotiating team stating these claims are false. The source stressed the strait will remain closed as long as "the United States continues its hostile actions."

This development coincides with US President Donald Trump's announcement that he will order American forces to hold off on new strikes against Iran, citing that Middle Eastern allies have reached the parameters of a deal to end the five-month-old conflict. Trump said, “Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”

However, Trump has previously announced halts to strikes on several occasions since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, only for fighting to resume again. Iran’s defense minister responded on X, stating the country was “neither surprised nor passive” following Trump’s announcement and remains alert to concrete threats from the US.

Cargo ships continue to be seen near the Strait of Hormuz, as observed from the United Arab Emirates’ coastline near Khor Fakkan earlier in May 2026.

Sources