The Strait of Hormuz has once again been closed to maritime traffic. According to maritime tracking systems, the oil tanker "AUROURA," which was heading toward the exit of the strait, abruptly changed course near the coast of Oman's Musandam Peninsula, turning 180 degrees back into the Persian Gulf.
Earlier reports indicated that Iran suspended oil tanker transit through the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
Iran has declared that the foundation for negotiations has been undermined. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that three key clauses out of a ten-point proposal presented by Iran have already been violated. He cited historical distrust of the U.S. due to repeated breaches of commitments. The violated clauses include a ceasefire in Lebanon, a halt to further violations of Iranian airspace, and recognition of Iran's uranium enrichment rights. Ghalibaf emphasized that under these conditions, ceasefire or negotiation efforts are meaningless.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel remains prepared to return to combat. He stated that Israel has further objectives to achieve, whether through agreement or renewed military action. Netanyahu also claimed that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire was coordinated with Israel and emphasized that the truce does not apply to military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The White House confirmed that the first round of talks between the U.S. and Iran will take place on April 11 in Islamabad. U.S. officials described Iran’s initial ten-point proposal as unacceptable but indicated that a subsequent, more reasonable proposal could serve as a basis for negotiation. The U.S. reiterated that President Trump's demand for Iran to halt uranium enrichment remains unchanged.
The Israeli military carried out its largest airstrike on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon since the conflict began, hitting 100 sites within ten minutes. Lebanese health authorities reported that the attacks resulted in 112 deaths and 837 injuries.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that it is prepared to retaliate if Israeli attacks on Lebanon do not cease immediately. A senior commander stated that an attack on Hezbollah is considered an attack on Iran.
In financial markets, the U.S. dollar index fell sharply, while European and U.S. stock markets rallied. Oil prices extended losses during the session but opened higher in early trading due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts noted that precious metals are exhibiting a pattern of medium-term bullishness with short-term high volatility. Multiple factors, including eased geopolitical tensions, improved liquidity expectations, central bank gold purchases, and speculative activity, contributed to the recent surge in gold and silver prices. However, experts caution that the rebound may not yet indicate a full trend reversal.
Traders are advised to distinguish between medium-term allocation positions and short-term trading strategies, avoid excessive leverage, and closely monitor developments in the ceasefire, U.S. policy statements, central bank activity, and economic data.
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