
Hardline military faction contradicts foreign minister, threatens to close strategic waterway as ceasefire deadline looms in 72 hours
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Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) fired on ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, contradicting Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's statement that the strait was reopening and asserting military control over the strategic waterway. The IRGC, which reports only to Iran's supreme leader, warned the strait is "closed until the US blockade is lifted" and threatened to target vessels cooperating with "the enemy." An Indian oil tanker was reportedly fired upon, prompting India to summon Iran's ambassador. The incident occurred with just 72 hours before the ceasefire expires, amid signs of deepening divisions within the Iranian regime between military hardliners and political negotiators.

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