Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over US blockade of its ports

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again, calling the decision a response to the continued blockade of its ports by the United States. The Iranian military on Saturday, April 18, said control of the strategic waterway has returned to its previous state, with reports indicating Iranian gunboats fired at a merchant vessel as it attempted to cross.

The closure came just hours after the strait was reopened, with more than a dozen commercial ships passing through following a US-mediated 10-day ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports represents "acts of piracy and maritime theft", adding that control over Hormuz is under the strict management and control of the armed forces.

"Until the US restores full freedom of navigation for vessels travelling from Iran to their destinations and back, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled and in its previous condition," the statement said.

According to AFP, by 10:30 GMT on Saturday, no fewer than eight oil and gas tankers had crossed the strait, but at least as many ships appeared to have turned back after beginning to exit the Gulf.

The conflicting reports have deterred many vessels from crossing. Maritime shipping specialist John-Paul Rodrigue of Texas A&M University said, "Ships have been attempting transit since the announcement, but it looks like many of them are heading back because the situation is unclear. There is contradictory information being issued by all parties."

Source: Al Jazeera