• US Gen Caine claims 34 ships turned around, but Hapag-Lloyd says one ship made it thru strait
• EU leaders meet in Cyprus to find swift resolution to shipping crisis
• ‘Neutral’ Switzerland set to reopen embassy in Tehran
WASHINGTON / PARIS: Even as renewed engagement between Iran and Pakistan over dialogue with the US sent out positive signals, Europe and the rest of the world appears anxious for a swift, diplomatic end to the war that has ravaged the Middle East and crippled global shipping, causing a fuel crunch across the globe.
Separately, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has claimed that: “No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy.”
Addressing reporters alongside US Gen Dan Caine, the US defence secretary said the US was “not anxious” for a deal with Iran, and repeated Trump’s previous comments of having “all the time in the world”.
“Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely … at the negotiating table. All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways,” he said.
According to Gen Caine, 34 ships had been turned around as of Friday morning, adding that the US military would continue to interdict Iranian vessels in the Pacific and Indian oceans.
“We’re enforcing the blockade across the board against any ship of any nationality that is transiting to or from an Iranian port or territory,” Caine said.
“We’re closely tracking vessels of interest headed towards Iran and those moving away from Iran that were outside the blockade area when this blockade was ordered and … we’re prepared and postured to intercept them,” he said.
However, shipping group Hapag-Lloyd said on Friday that one of its ships has crossed the Strait of Hormuz but did not have any information on the circumstances or timing.
Four out of initially six ships remain in the Gulf, after one ship’s charter agreement expired, meaning it no longer belongs to the Hapag-Lloyd fleet, a spokesperson added.
Scores of tankers and other vessels remain stuck in the Gulf as the United States is struggling to keep control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
Europe worried
Meanwhile, leaders from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan as well as the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, were in Cyprus on Friday to meet their EU counterparts on the sidelines of a summit. The EU has largely remained on the sidelines in the Middle East war despite US President Donald Trump lashing out at what he says is Europe’s lack of support for Washington’s efforts to contain Iran.
“The current situation clearly underscores how closely Europe’s security is linked with that of the Middle East, and how vital our cooperation on security and defence has become,” European Council president Antonio Costa told a press conference after the talks.
“The Strait of Hormuz must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling, in full respect of international law and the principle of freedom of navigation. This is vital for the entire world,” Costa said.
“Diplomacy is the only sustainable way forwards, and European Union is ready to contribute to all ongoing efforts,” he added.
An extension of a shaky truce between Israel and Lebanon has also been agreed on – but European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said that was “not enough”, calling for a permanent settlement.
“You cannot have stability in the Middle East or the Gulf while Lebanon is in flames,” she said. “A temporary pause is not enough”.
The EU has largely remained on the sidelines in the Middle East war despite US President Donald Trump lashing out at what he says is Europe’s lack of support for Washington’s efforts to contain Iran.
French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters that “Europe must do even more” to help end the crisis.
“It is in everyone’s interest for stability to return as soon as possible and for the world’s economies to be reassured,” Macron said, in stark contrast to Trump, who recently said the US had “all the time in the world”.
‘Neutral’ Swiss set to reopen Tehran embassy
Meanwhile, Switzerland said Friday it had begun sending staff back to Tehran and would gradually reopen its embassy, enabling it to continue as a facilitator for diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran.
For decades, neutral Switzerland has played a central role in maintaining basic diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States.
But the country temporarily closed its embassy on March 11 days after the Middle East war erupted with the first US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
The Swiss foreign ministry said four staff had returned and insisted the channel of communication between the US and Iran had been kept open even while the mission was shut.
“The decision to gradually reopen the embassy was taken after a risk analysis and in consultation with Iran and the United States, whose interests Switzerland represents under its protecting power mandate,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Switzerland “is prepared to provide its good offices if the parties so wish and supports all diplomatic initiatives that contribute to de-escalation and a lasting peace”.
The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles all consular affairs between the United States and Iran, including passport requests, altering civil status and consular protection for US citizens in Iran.
Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2026
