Iran announced today that it is reasserting «strict control» over the Strait of Hormuz in response to the maintenance of the US blockade of Iranian ports, reversing yesterday's decision to reopen this strategic sea route.
Tehran «accepted in good faith to allow the passage of a limited number of oil tankers and merchant ships», but the Americans, in violation of their commitments, «continue to engage in acts of piracy under the pretext of the so-called blockade», the Iranian armed forces command denounced in a statement broadcast on state television.
«For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz is returning to its previous status and this strategic passage is now under strict control» of Iran, the statement added.
This announcement comes as diplomatic efforts are underway to end the war in the Middle East, in addition to the two-week ceasefire that came into force on 8 April between Iran and the US.
Eight oil tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz today
At least eight oil tankers and LNG tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz early this morning, with Iran having said yesterday that it was opening the sea route for the duration of the ceasefire before changing its position today, according to data from Kpler, which monitors maritime traffic.
An oil tanker carrying crude oil, four LPG tankers, two ships carrying oil and chemicals and an eighth ship carrying «petroleum products» crossed the Straits early this morning, according to Kpler data.
Also this morning, the MarineTraffic website showed that more than 12 ships were in the area, including oil tankers near the Iranian island of Larak, but at least two appear to have returned around 12.00 noon GMT.
In addition, a cruise ship, the Celestyal Discovery, crossed the sea passage without passengers on its way from Dubai to Muscat, an unprecedented event since the start of hostilities on February 28, according to the same source.
After yesterday's announcement by Tehran of the opening of the Straits, Donald Trump had said that the US blockade would remain «fully in place» until the end of the negotiations and that it would «continue» if no agreement was reached at the end of the negotiations.
«Since the start of the blockade, 21 ships have complied with US forces» instructions ordering them to return to Iran," the US Central Command told X on Saturday.
