नवीनतम
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over US blockade
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Iran’s military command on Saturday said the control of the Strait of Hormuz has “returned to its previous state" because of the continuing blockade of Iranian ports by the US, accusing the United States of not fulfilling its obligations.
Iran had reopened the crucial waterway on Friday after a ceasefire agreement was reached in Lebanon. However, US President Donald Trump said the US Navy blockade will “remain in full force" until a long-term agreement with Iran is reached, including on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
In a statement shared on state television, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) joint military command said it would resume “strict management and control" of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington had broken a promise by continuing its naval blockade of ships sailing to and from Iran’s ports. The military command said the US has “continued acts of piracy and maritime theft under the guise of a so-called blockade."
"For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is now under strict management and control by the armed forces," it said. “Until the United States restores full freedom of navigation for vessels travelling from Iran to their destinations and back, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled and in its previous condition."
Earlier, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Commission, said only commercial vessels authorised by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would be allowed to transit through the route. He said these vessels must pay “required tolls" before transiting the waterway.
What Did Trump Say On Hormuz Blockade?
Trump welcomed Iran’s move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but said the US blockade of ships entering or exiting Iranian ports will remain until a deal is reached.
“The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% is complete," Trump said in all caps on a Truth Social post. He later said Iran had agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but crucial route which supplies 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies. It became effectively unusable for commercial shipping on February 28 after US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf nations. For 47 days, ships either avoided the route or faced heavy restrictions. This disruption affected global trade, especially the movement of energy supplies, causing oil prices to rise sharply.
Iran had strongly warned Trump that the Strait of Hormuz will be shut again if the US naval blockade in the water body continues. “With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open. Passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted based on the “designated route" and with Iranian authorisation," said Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
A second round of talks is expected in the Pakistani capital on Monday, with envoys hoping to end the war that was started by the US and Israel on February 28. Trump appeared convinced that a deal could be finished shortly.
