Meziesblog

We have more clarity on the Iranian military statement, which asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will return to “strict control”.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB says this means the key shipping lane “is now closed again and passage requires IRAN approval”.

In a statement, the military said a few minutes ago that the strait had “returned to its previous state”because the US refused to lift its sea blockade of Iranian Gulf ports – see the post below this one.

For context: Iran had declared the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed shortly after the start of America’s attack on 28 February.

Officials later specified that passage was possible with Iranian approval but not for “hostile” ships affiliated with the US and Israel. 

Very few ships have passed through in practice, however, with disruption severely impacting global economies and sending energy prices soaring. 

Closure comes after ‘first major’ traffic in seven weeks

Iran lifted the blockade yesterday, however, after a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon entered into force.

Donald Trump thanked Iran for opening the strait but said the retaliatory US blockade of ships entering and exiting Iranian ports “will remain in full force” until a deal is reached.

Traffic through the waterway briefly picked up this morning in what Reuters called the “first major movement of ships” through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war.