Iran seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. announced it was extending a ceasefire, tightening its grip on the chokepoint that carries a fifth of global oil trade. The two‑month‑old war that began with U.S.‑Israeli attacks on February 28 has stalled, with a two‑week‑old ceasefire that was due to expire earlier this week remaining uncertain. The U.S. has agreed to hold its attacks on Iran until a unified proposal can be negotiated, but no deadline has been set. According to the U.S. military, more than 30 ships have been directed to turn around or return to port as part of the blockade, and at least three Iranian‑flagged tankers were intercepted in Asian waters. Brent has stayed above $100 a barrel in Asian trade, hitting triple figures for the first time in two weeks. In Lebanon, five people were killed by Israeli air strikes, and a 10‑day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced on April 16. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker, said the seizure was a "flagrant breach of the ceasefire" and that "you did not achieve your goals through military aggression and you will not achieve them by bullying either." He added that "the only way is recognizing the Iranian people's rights." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the seizure was not a violation of the ceasefire and called it an act of "piracy." The U.S. military stated it had directed more than 30 ships to turn around or return to port as part of the blockade against Iran. With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively shut, oil supply chains remain under pressure, but the extension of the ceasefire could provide a window for renewed negotiations. If a unified proposal emerges, the U.S. blockade may ease, potentially stabilizing shipping lanes and easing pressure on global oil markets.