Iranian officials have announced that they have reversed their earlier decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions on one of the world’s most important shipping routes. The move comes after the United States declared it would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports, raising tensions in an already fragile region.
According to Iranian authorities, the waterway has now returned to its “previous status” and is under “strict management and control” by the country’s armed forces. The statement was issued by the Khatam al-Anbiya, which coordinates Iran’s military operations. Officials warned that the restrictions would remain in place unless Washington guarantees full freedom of navigation for ships travelling to and from Iran.
The situation escalated further on Saturday when a British maritime monitoring body reported an incident involving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the report, IRGC gunboats fired at a tanker attempting to pass through the strait. The attack reportedly took place about 20 nautical miles north-east of Oman. Although the tanker was targeted, its crew were said to be safe, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
In a separate development, Reuters reported that an Indian-flagged vessel carrying crude oil was also attacked while navigating the same waterway. These incidents have increased concern among international shipping companies and governments, as the strait is a key route for global energy supplies.
Iranian officials have defended their actions. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that the United States cannot impose what he described as a “siege” on Iran while expecting Tehran to ensure safe passage through the strait. Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Antalya, Turkey, he said Iran had acted in good faith but would not tolerate restrictions on its own trade.
The naval command of the IRGC reinforced this position in a statement posted on social media. It warned that as long as Iranian shipping remains under threat, the current restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz will continue. The statement also cautioned that any violation of commitments by the United States would be met with a “proper response”.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through it. Any disruption to traffic in the strait can have immediate effects on global energy markets, often leading to rising prices and economic uncertainty.
Iran had initially closed the strait on 4 March following joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel. The closure was seen as a direct response to those attacks. However, Tehran announced on Friday that the waterway would reopen after a 10-day ceasefire agreement was reached. The ceasefire, part of broader efforts to stabilise the region, involved negotiations linked to tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
Despite this brief reopening, the latest developments show how fragile the situation remains. Maritime tracking data indicated that at least eight oil and gas tankers managed to pass through the strait during the short period when it was open. However, the renewed restrictions have once again disrupted shipping.
The announcement from Iran came shortly after US President Donald Trump declared that the blockade of Iranian ports would remain “in full force”. He stated that the measure would continue until a permanent agreement is reached with Tehran. Trump also suggested that the temporary ceasefire, which was brokered by Pakistan and is due to expire soon, might not be extended.
Diplomatic efforts are still under way to resolve the crisis. Delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to hold a second round of peace talks, although no date has been confirmed. Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed hope that an agreement could be reached soon. He said that not only the Middle East but the entire world is being affected by the ongoing conflict.
The renewed tension in the Strait of Hormuz highlights the wider impact of the dispute between Iran and the United States. As long as the conflict continues, the risk to global energy supplies and international trade is likely to remain high.
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