Iran announced Saturday it has reimposed “strict control” over the Strait of Hormuz, reversing its decision from one day earlier to reopen the critical waterway. The move came after President Trump said the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports “will remain in full force” until a peace deal is reached.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that “approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and any violating vessel will be targeted.” The statement was published by semiofficial news agency Tasnim News.
Iranian gunboats fired on the Indian-flagged VLCC Sanmar Herald and the MSC Ishyka container ship in the strait. A separate container ship was struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman, damaging some containers but causing no fires or injuries, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations center.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council called the U.S. blockade a ceasefire violation and said Iran would prevent “any conditional and limited reopening” of the strait. Approximately 20% of the world’s seaborne oil trade normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz.