Iranian authorities said the Strait of Hormuz is once again under the country’s armed forces’ “strict management and control,” the Associated Press reports.
A statement from Iran’s joint armed forces command said vessel traffic through the strait would remain restricted for as long as the United States continues to blockade Iranian ports.
A day earlier, President Donald Trump confirmed that the blockade would remain in place. He said the restrictions would stay until an agreement is reached with Tehran covering, among other issues, Iran’s nuclear programme.
On April 17, Iran announced the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a route that typically carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies. The move followed a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Iran’s foreign ministry said the strait would remain open for the duration of the agreement. The United States, however, did not lift its blockade of Iranian ports.
On April 17, SFG Media also published a detailed analysis of the balance of power and the possible scenarios surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, including the prospect of its being closed to shipping again.