Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said that due to the continued naval blockade of Iranian ports, “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state and this strategic waterway is under strict management and control of Iran’s armed forces.”
A spokesman for the body said in a statement minutes ago that Iran had agreed in negotiations to allow the “limited and managed passage of oil tankers and commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz,” but that the United States, through “repeated breaches of commitments,” continues what it described as maritime piracy under the guise of a blockade.
The statement added that, as a result, control of the Strait of Hormuz has reverted to its previous condition. The headquarters said: “As long as the United States does not ensure full freedom of navigation for vessels traveling from and to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain under strict control and in its previous state.”
Previously, Iran had not allowed vessels it considered linked to the United States and Israel to pass through the strait.
However, last night Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that “in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon,” the Strait of Hormuz would remain open until the end of the ceasefire to all commercial vessels moving along coordinated routes.
The United States, which began a naval blockade of Iranian ports several days ago, said it would continue the blockade.
As a result, Iran, which had reopened the Strait of Hormuz last night, has now effectively closed it again.
