Iran on Saturday said that the Strait of Hormuz is once again under strict military supervision, reversing its earlier position of reopening the key maritime route, with officials blaming repeated “breaches of commitments” by the United States.
The development signals a fresh turn in tensions around one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, coming barely a day after Iran had indicated that the strait had been opened following a ceasefire announcement in Lebanon. The latest move effectively restores the situation to what Tehran described as its “previous state” before the ceasefire arrangement.
According to Iranian media reports cited by TOLOnews and Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said that transit through the Strait of Hormuz has reverted to its earlier condition of tight military control.
Iran cites US ‘piracy under blockade’ for tightening Hormuz control
The move, the spokesperson said, follows repeated “breaches of commitments” by the United States, along with what Iran described as acts of “piracy under the guise of blockade”.
“Following previous agreements in negotiations, the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed in good faith to allow a limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in a managed manner. Unfortunately, the Americans, with their repeated record of breach of promise, continue to engage in piracy and banditry under the guise of a so-called blockade,” the statement read, as quoted by IRIB.
The spokesperson said the strait would continue to remain under tight military control and supervision by Iran’s armed forces until the United States lifts all restrictions on the movement of vessels to and from Iran. Tehran has also said the current situation will persist unless Washington ensures what it called “complete freedom of movement” for Iranian vessels.
“For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, and this strategic strait is under the strict management and control of the armed forces,” the statement added.
The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the American naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a comprehensive agreement is reached with Tehran.
“The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete. This process should go very quickly,” Trump said.
Reacting to the remarks, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz would be tightly regulated, adding that passage would be allowed only through designated routes and with Tehran’s approval.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments passes, has long been at the centre of geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States and regional actors.