The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says the management of the Strait of Hormuz has entered a new stage.

The IRGC Navy made the announcement in a post on its social media account on Friday, two days after a temporary Pakistan-mediated ceasefire went into force between Tehran and Washington following the failure of the US and Israel to achieve their objectives after 40 days of war against the Iranian nation.

“The two days of silence in military battle clearly showed to friends and enemies that the management of the Strait of Hormuz has entered a new phase,” it said.

The announcement echoed Thursday’s remarks by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, who said Iran will “take the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new stage.”

The United States and the Israeli regime launched their illegal act of aggression against Iran on February 28, but the Iranian armed forces responded by launching 100 waves of missile and drone operations targeting locations in the Israeli-occupied territories as well as US military bases and assets across the region.

Iranian forces also blocked the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers affiliated with the adversaries and those cooperating with them in an attempt to maintain security at the strategic waterway.

The US sought to form a coalition to open the strategic waterway, asking NATO countries to contribute naval and air assets. However, most of Washington’s allies have declined to commit forces.

Additionally, on Friday, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the country will send a special envoy to Iran to examine the situation in West Asia amid conflicting reports about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

It added that the decision had been taken during a telephone conversation between top top Iranian and South Korean diplomats.

Meanwhile, Hamid Hosseini, spokesman for the association of Iranian oil product exporters said that the acceptance of Iran’s proposed provisions about the security and legal regime of the Strait of Hormuz as part of the truce agreement can be one of the most important diplomatic achievements in recent decades.

The strait was previously open, but now some international analysts believe that new conditions could benefit Iran, Hosseini noted.

• Vance warns Iran against trying to “play” Washington.
• Trump voices displeasure at Iran’s handling of Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran’s nuclear enrichment will be part of talks: official sources.

ISLAMABAD: US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran on Friday against trying to “play” Washington, as he set off for talks in Islamabad aimed at transforming a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.

Despite the temporary truce struck between the foes, deep disagreements remain as to the way forward, and both sides have accused the other of failing to properly implement the current agreement.

“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand,” Vance told reporters before taking off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

But “if they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive”, he said.

Since the ceasefire took effect, US President Donald Trump has voiced displeasure at Iran’s handling of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was meant to be reopened, while Tehran has reacted angrily to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, insisting that it too falls under the agreement.

Official sources say the talks in Islamabad will cover several sensitive points, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment and the free flow of trade through the strait.

Late Friday evening, all routes leading to the Serena Hotel, the expected venue, were blocked off with heavy security, while a large banner and digital signs along the expressway heralded the “Islamabad Talks”.

Iran has suggested that its participation could hinge on a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon: “The holding of talks to end the war is dependent on the US adhering to its ceasefire commitments on all fronts, especially in Lebanon,” said Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson.

Iranian officials have said the Israeli strikes had rendered the Pakistan talks “meaningless”.

Nevertheless, Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards signalled they were committing to the ceasefire and had “not launched anything at any country”, according to the state broadcaster.

In a barrage of social media posts that sparked fears for the shaky truce, Trump on Thursday accused Iran of doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil through the Strait of Hormuz and of breaching the terms of their ceasefire agreement.

But Vance, who is leading the US delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, told reporters: “We’re going to try to have a positive negotiation.”

US Vice President JD Vance said on Friday he was hopeful of a “positive” outcome as he departed Washington to lead American negotiations with Iran in Pakistan. “We’re going to try to have a positive negotiation,” Vance told reporters before boarding his flight at Joint Base Andrews.

“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.”

Earlier, the White House said that Vance will head the US delegation in talks beginning Saturday in Islamabad, acting on directives from President Donald Trump.

The talks are seen as a critical step towards preventing renewed conflict after weeks of escalating hostilities.

According to officials, the US delegation will also include senior figures such as envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, underlining the importance Washington attaches to the negotiations.

Pakistan is hosting the dialogue as part of its broader mediation effort, having played a key role in brokering a temporary ceasefire between the two sides. The talks are widely viewed as high-stakes, with the outcome likely to shape regional stability and global energy markets.

Vance, speaking before departure, expressed optimism about the negotiations, saying the United States was seeking “constructive engagement” and remained hopeful of positive outcomes.

He added that clear guidance had been provided by President Donald Trump for the talks.

Diplomatic sources say the negotiations will address key issues, including ceasefire compliance, regional security concerns, and Iran’s nuclear programme, though significant differences remain between the parties.

Analysts note that Pakistan’s role has evolved into that of an active mediator, bringing both sides to the table despite deep mistrust.

However, they caution that the process remains fragile, with risks of derailment from regional actors and unresolved disputes.

The Islamabad talks mark one of the most significant direct engagements between the United States and Iran in decades, raising cautious hopes for a broader de-escalation in the region.