Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC) has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, warning that any vessel attempting to traverse the waterway will be targeted. This marks a dramatic reversal, coming less than 24 hours after the critical shipping lane had been reopened.
In a statement carried by Iran’s Student News Agency, the IRGC navy announced on Saturday that the strait would remain closed until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. It asserted that the blockade constitutes a violation of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in the US-Israel war against Iran.
The statement warned, “We caution that no vessel of any kind should depart from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be deemed cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted.”
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and a senior negotiator in ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran to end the war, stated in a television interview that “the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the Islamic Republic”.
He added, “The Americans have been declaring a blockade for several days now. This is a clumsy and ignorant decision.”
This reassertion of control came mere hours after Iran had briefly reopened the strait, in accordance with a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Global oil prices had dropped after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that the waterway was “completely open for all commercial vessels.”
More than a dozen commercial ships had passed through the waterway before the IRGC reversed its stance.
Iranian gunboats reportedly fired upon two commercial ships on Saturday, according to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). India’s Ministry of External Affairs also confirmed that two Indian-flagged vessels were involved in a “shooting incident” in the strait.
Some merchant vessels in the region received radio messages from the IRGC Navy, explicitly warning that no ships were permitted to pass through the strait.
US President Donald Trump stated that Tehran could not blackmail Washington by closing the waterway. He warned that he would terminate the ceasefire if a deal is not reached before its expiry on Wednesday, adding that the naval blockade would “remain in full force.”
Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared that the navy was prepared to inflict “new bitter defeats” upon its enemies.
‘Two Competing Blockades’
Al Jazeera correspondent Zein Basravi observed that Iran and the US have returned to their previous day’s standoff.
He remarked, “Less than 24 hours ago, world leaders were praising what they believed to be a breakthrough in this conflict, hoping Iran was signaling a confidence-building measure by opening the Strait of Hormuz, potentially leading to a ceasefire deal and a permanent end to the war.”
He added, “As disappointed as people may be, this isn’t entirely surprising. What we’re seeing now is a return to square one,” noting that there are now “two competing blockades in place.”
Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem, reporting from Tehran, suggested that Iran was utilizing the strait to convey a message.
He explained, “It’s clear that Iran is dealing with a situation in which they are not sure what’s on the table. Thus, the Strait of Hormuz is once again the sole arena for engagement, even if it’s a negative one. It’s the space where they are sending and conveying messages to the Americans, demonstrating their leverage.”
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