Just hours after Reuters reported the first major ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in seven weeks, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB confirmed that the key waterway had been closed again. Tehran’s decision comes in direct response to the Trump administration’s move to maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran’s military command said the strait was returning to its “previous status,” meaning strict controls and Iran’s approval for any passage. This effectively reversed yesterday’s easing of restrictions imposed by Iran after a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon came into effect.
Yesterday’s optimism, fueled by Iran’s opening of the strait, was quickly dampened by messages from the White House. While Trump thanked Tehran for lifting the blockade, he also said the United States would not lift its own blockade of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf.
The Iranian military has deemed Washington’s stance unacceptable, declaring a return to a “strict control” regime.
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important energy artery, through which a fifth of global oil consumption passes, and any disruption to traffic is a direct blow to the world economy.
