White House Labels Strait of Hormuz Closure ‘Completely Unacceptable’ During Ceasefire

(SeaPRwire) –   White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday pushed back against reports that Iran had shut down the Strait of Hormuz just hours after a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire took effect, though she stressed that any attempt by Iran to block maritime traffic would be “completely unacceptable.” Leavitt spoke to reporters shortly after Iranian state media announced the strait had been closed in retaliation for Israeli strikes on the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.

Using triumphant language, Leavitt hailed the ceasefire as “a victory for the United States of America” and spoke as if the U.S. military operation in Iran had concluded. Iran has not yet agreed to halt ballistic missile production, cease arming proxy groups, or abandon its nuclear weapons development plans—all core goals Trump had previously outlined for his military operation.

A U.S. negotiating team led by Vice President JD Vance, which includes Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, will meet with Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan on Saturday, Leavitt confirmed. Iran had publicly released a 10-point ceasefire proposal that it framed as the official framework for talks with the United States.

It remained unclear on Wednesday whether both sides would follow that framework, as Leavitt noted the U.S. had rejected Iran’s initial 10-point proposal. She shared that Iran had submitted a separate set of proposals just as the deadline approached, which she described as “more reasonable and entirely different.” President Trump had determined the revised proposal served as a “workable basis for negotiations,” she added. Leavitt emphasized that Iran’s public comments differed from private discussions held with U.S. negotiators, implying the true state of talks was far different from the details made available to the public.

The ceasefire announcement was made Tuesday evening, just ahead of the deadline tied to Trump’s warning that he would destroy Iran’s “civilization” if its leaders failed to strike a deal. Leavitt credited U.S. bombardments and Trump’s threats to end Iran’s “civilization” for the country’s decision to agree to a ceasefire.

Trump had demanded Iran reopen the strait to maritime traffic, and suggested on his social media platform that the U.S. and Iran should collect joint tolls for vessels passing through the Strait. During Wednesday’s press briefing, Leavitt noted this was an idea the president had “floated,” but clarified that Trump’s ultimate goal was to see the sea route open “without any limitations, like tolls or otherwise.”

The U.S. has severely weakened Iran’s military, Leavitt said, outlining the damage U.S. airstrikes had inflicted on Iranian stockpiles. She stated that Iran’s ability to build and store ballistic missiles had been “set back years.” The U.S. launched 450 strikes against ballistic missile facilities and 800 strikes against Iran’s drone launch sites, she added, noting that Iran’s submarine fleet and 150 naval vessels had been destroyed, along with stockpiles of 5,000 naval mines.