Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned that the fragile US-Iran ceasefire “could turn on a dime,” citing Tehran’s failure to reopen the strategic artery Strait of Hormuz as promised.
Speaking at the start of a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel fully supports US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports and described the level of coordination between the two countries as unprecedented.
Netanyahu, who had been briefed by US Vice President JD Vance following talks with Iran in Pakistan, said Washington’s priority remains eliminating Iran’s enriched nuclear material and preventing future enrichment.
“The Americans could not tolerate Iran’s blatant violation of the agreement to enter negotiations. The agreement was that they would stop the fire, and the Iranians would immediately open the Strait of Hormuz, they did not do so. The Americans could not accept this,” he said.
Vance reportedly emphasised to Netanyahu that the US focus is “removing all enriched material and ensuring no enrichment in the coming years, possibly for decades, inside Iran.” Netanyahu added, “The claims that there is a rift between us are completely false. Anyone who was present in these conversations… can attest to that.”
The US military confirmed it will begin blockading Iranian ports on Monday at 14:00 GMT, allowing non-Iranian-bound ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that any “miscalculated move will trap the enemy in the deadly whirlpools” of the strategic waterway, while maintaining that the strait remains open for civilian shipping.
Iranian leaders rejected the pressure from Washington and Tel Aviv.
Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said threats “will have no effect on the Iranian nation,” while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of “shifting goalposts” despite negotiations being “inches away” from agreement.
Reactions from leaders of the UK, Australia and the EU highlight cautious opposition to escalation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer ruled out British involvement in the blockade, stressing London’s commitment to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open without escalating military tensions. “The Strait is vital for global energy markets… I want energy bills stabilised and lower,” he said. Starmer confirmed that Britain possesses minesweeping capabilities but declined operational details.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the call for open navigation, confirming Canberra had received no request from Washington to join the blockade and emphasizing adherence to international maritime law. “We are committed to working with international partners to help keep fuel flowing at home,” he said.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is of “paramount importance” for the European Union, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday, underlining the waterway’s strategic and economic significance.
Speaking at a press conference, von der Leyen stressed that the ongoing closure of the Strait is causing serious damage and that restoring freedom of navigation is crucial for Europe. She noted that negotiations between Iran and the US have “stalled” and said it is now essential to determine how the situation will progress.
Meanwhile, the Unified Command of the Iranian Armed Forces issued a stark warning that the security of ports across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman is under direct threat, signaling potential escalations if the blockade proceeds.
