Open, shut, open, shut: What's up with Strait of Hormuz?
Iran has reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz after the US denied ending the blockades on Iran-linked ships to pass through the strategic waterway.
Iran’s IRGC Naval Command said it will take firm action against what it called US “bad-faith violations,” adding that the Strait of Hormuz will stay under tight military control until all threats to vessels heading to and from Iranian ports are removed.
Accusing the US of violating the deal, Iran's joint military command said, “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state under strict management and control of the armed forces.” It further warned that the restrictions shall stay in place until the US blockade on Iranian ships remains.
The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the US blockade on Iranian ships shall remain in place regardless of Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz.
"The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but 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 in that most of the points are already negotiated," said Trump in a post on Truth Social.
On Friday, Iran had said it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels after a 10-day truce was announced between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, following the ceasefire announcement, announced the reopening on X.
"In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran," he wrote.
Iran's statement
Head of Iran's National Security Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, in a statement, updated on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. He said that according to the new maritime system of the strategic waterway, only commercial vessels with authorisation from the IRGC Navy after paying the toll are permitted, Al Jazeera reported.
“The time has come to comply with a new maritime regime for the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, "Under this new system, only commercial vessels with authorisation from the IRGC Navy are permitted to navigate through designated routes after paying the required tolls.
He has also warned against the US disturbance, saying, "As long as the traffic of vessels to and from Iran is threatened by the US, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will be as before, more restricted."
Iranian state media also reported the statement by Iran's military spokesperson, attributing the "breach of trust" by the United States.
Confirming the full supervision of the Iranian navy over the passage of ships, the statement further added, "Such passage is considered null and void if the alleged naval blockade continues. A limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships were allowed to pass through the Strait. But unfortunately, the Americans, with their repeated breaches of trust that are part of their track record, continue to engage in piracy and maritime theft under the so-called title of blockade."
It concluded, "Control of the Strait was again ‘under the strict management and control of the armed forces,’ until the US ends its blockade of ships leaving and destined for Iranian ports."
Notably, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait and further limits would squeeze already constrained supply, driving prices higher once again.
Timeline of the Hormuz crisis
The crisis began on February 28, when Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closure following the launch of "Operation Epic Fury by the US and Israel, and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The IRGC laid sea mines and targeted merchant vessels.
This led to the shipping traffic coming to a halt by the beginning of March.
By March 7, Tehran had formalised the closure, barring vessels from what it called “hostile nations.” This included the US, Israel and its allies. The closure led to global oil prices soaring.
A second phase began on March 9, when US President Donald Trump claimed the strait was open, though it remained firmly under Iranian control.
On March 15, Iran introduced a toll system for ships passing through, charging up to $2 million per vessel. However, it offered exemptions to certain countries, including India, China, and Russia, which were allowed to pass without paying any tolls.
The US military began mine-clearing operations, and later on April 6, Trump issued an ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the strait or face strikes on its energy infrastructure.
This was followed by a fragile ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8, marking the third phase of negotiations. While Iran agreed in principle to reopen the strait, it retained strict control and continued tolls, leading to the collapse of the Islamabad talks by April 11–12.
On April 13, Washington announced a naval blockade targeting all the ships coming to and going from the Iranian ports. Other ships were exempted from the blockade.
On April 17, Iran announced the reopening of the strait, linking it to a separate 10-day Israel-Lebanon truce. However, by April 18, Tehran reversed course. Citing the ongoing US naval blockade, Iran’s parliament scrapped the reopening agreement, with the military stating control had “reverted to its previous state,” effectively re-closing the Strait of Hormuz to international traffic.
Iran’s IRGC Naval Command said it will take firm action against what it called US “bad-faith violations,” adding that the Strait of Hormuz will stay under tight military control until all threats to vessels heading to and from Iranian ports are removed.
Accusing the US of violating the deal, Iran's joint military command said, “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state under strict management and control of the armed forces.” It further warned that the restrictions shall stay in place until the US blockade on Iranian ships remains.
The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the US blockade on Iranian ships shall remain in place regardless of Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz.
"The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but 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 in that most of the points are already negotiated," said Trump in a post on Truth Social.
On Friday, Iran had said it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels after a 10-day truce was announced between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, following the ceasefire announcement, announced the reopening on X.
"In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran," he wrote.
Iran's statement
Head of Iran's National Security Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, in a statement, updated on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. He said that according to the new maritime system of the strategic waterway, only commercial vessels with authorisation from the IRGC Navy after paying the toll are permitted, Al Jazeera reported.
“The time has come to comply with a new maritime regime for the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, "Under this new system, only commercial vessels with authorisation from the IRGC Navy are permitted to navigate through designated routes after paying the required tolls.
He has also warned against the US disturbance, saying, "As long as the traffic of vessels to and from Iran is threatened by the US, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will be as before, more restricted."
Iranian state media also reported the statement by Iran's military spokesperson, attributing the "breach of trust" by the United States.
Confirming the full supervision of the Iranian navy over the passage of ships, the statement further added, "Such passage is considered null and void if the alleged naval blockade continues. A limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships were allowed to pass through the Strait. But unfortunately, the Americans, with their repeated breaches of trust that are part of their track record, continue to engage in piracy and maritime theft under the so-called title of blockade."
It concluded, "Control of the Strait was again ‘under the strict management and control of the armed forces,’ until the US ends its blockade of ships leaving and destined for Iranian ports."
Notably, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait and further limits would squeeze already constrained supply, driving prices higher once again.
Timeline of the Hormuz crisis
The crisis began on February 28, when Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closure following the launch of "Operation Epic Fury by the US and Israel, and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The IRGC laid sea mines and targeted merchant vessels.
This led to the shipping traffic coming to a halt by the beginning of March.
By March 7, Tehran had formalised the closure, barring vessels from what it called “hostile nations.” This included the US, Israel and its allies. The closure led to global oil prices soaring.
A second phase began on March 9, when US President Donald Trump claimed the strait was open, though it remained firmly under Iranian control.
On March 15, Iran introduced a toll system for ships passing through, charging up to $2 million per vessel. However, it offered exemptions to certain countries, including India, China, and Russia, which were allowed to pass without paying any tolls.
The US military began mine-clearing operations, and later on April 6, Trump issued an ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the strait or face strikes on its energy infrastructure.
This was followed by a fragile ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8, marking the third phase of negotiations. While Iran agreed in principle to reopen the strait, it retained strict control and continued tolls, leading to the collapse of the Islamabad talks by April 11–12.
On April 13, Washington announced a naval blockade targeting all the ships coming to and going from the Iranian ports. Other ships were exempted from the blockade.
On April 17, Iran announced the reopening of the strait, linking it to a separate 10-day Israel-Lebanon truce. However, by April 18, Tehran reversed course. Citing the ongoing US naval blockade, Iran’s parliament scrapped the reopening agreement, with the military stating control had “reverted to its previous state,” effectively re-closing the Strait of Hormuz to international traffic.
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