Iran threatens to block Hormuz over frozen assets

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a stark ultimatum, declaring the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until $11 trillion in frozen Iranian assets are released. He warned that if no proposal is presented within the next 48 hours, the current ceasefire may end. This threat escalates the ongoing standoff in the critical waterway and directly challenges recent US military orders to destroy mine-laying vessels there. The demand for trillions in assets is a significant increase in Iran's stated demands and sets a tight deadline for a diplomatic resolution.