US rejects Iran sanctions relief despite Hormuz reopening: tensions escalate

The United States rules out lifting sanctions on Iran despite the imminent reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a move that threatens to escalate regional tensions. A senior US State Department official confirmed today that Washington will maintain its current sanctions regime, including restrictions on Iranian oil exports, even if Tehran restores full maritime traffic through the 39-kilometre-wide chokepoint .

The Strait, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies, has been partially closed since late May after Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels seized two commercial tankers in disputed waters. Tehran announced yesterday that it would reopen the waterway by 08:00 local time on 5 June, citing "successful de-escalation talks" with Oman and Qatar. However, the US official dismissed the gesture as "cosmetic," stating that Iran must first verifiably end its "pattern of maritime aggression" before any sanctions review can occur.

The decision comes amid reports that Iran launched a cyberattack on five US Navy vessels in the Gulf of Oman on 2 June, disrupting navigation systems for several hours. The Pentagon has not publicly attributed the attack, but anonymous defence sources told *Die Presse* that forensic evidence points to Iranian state-linked hackers .

Global oil markets reacted cautiously to the news, with Brent crude futures holding steady at $89.40 per barrel in early trading. Analysts warn that the US stance could trigger retaliatory measures, including renewed Iranian harassment of commercial shipping or proxy attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. The European Union has called for an emergency meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signatories, scheduled for 7 June in Vienna, though diplomats say prospects for a breakthrough remain slim.

Background: The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint since the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the waterway in response, most notably in 2019 when it downed a US drone and seized a British-flagged tanker. The current standoff marks the first time Tehran has followed through on its threat to disrupt traffic, though it has so far avoided direct military confrontation with US forces.