Iran Reasserts Control Over the Strait of Hormuz and Fires on Tankers

(SeaPRwire) –   Iran has stated it has re-established “strict control” over the Strait of Hormuz, following reports from maritime security that gunboats associated with the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired upon at least three commercial vessels on Saturday. This action marks the end of a brief period of calm in the crucial global shipping lane.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported receiving an account of two gunboats firing on a tanker approximately 20 miles north of Oman without issuing a radio warning. Later, the UKMTO documented a separate incident where a container ship was struck by an “unknown projectile.”

Reuters, citing merchant and shipping sources, indicated that additional vessels, including at least one ship flagged in India, were hit by gunfire as they attempted to navigate the Strait.

These attacks occurred as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a statement on Telegram threatening “bitter defeats,” and the U.S. declined to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports. In response, Iran has closed the Strait again, less than 24 hours after its reopening was announced, thereby disrupting a vital shipping route that handles approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iran’s security council attributed the Strait’s closure to the U.S. blockade, stating that Tehran would “regard [the blockade] as a breach of the cease-fire and will prevent the conditional and limited reopening of the strait of Hormuz.”

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Saturday that American forces were continuing to enforce the naval blockade, with 23 ships having complied with orders to turn back since its commencement.

CENTCOM also stated that U.S. helicopters were actively “flying in and around the Strait providing a visible presence in support of freedom of navigation.”

The Wall Street Journal, referencing U.S. officials, reported that the U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iranian-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, a move that would significantly broaden the scope of the naval blockade.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of tension between Iran and the United States throughout nearly seven weeks of conflict. Military operations by the U.S. and Israel against Iran commenced on February 28, stemming from concerns over the nation’s nuclear enrichment and missile programs, resulting in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, on the first day of strikes. The war has led to thousands of casualties across Iran, Lebanon, and other regional areas, displacing millions, including over a fifth of Lebanon’s population.

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the war has contributed to fluctuations in global oil prices. While a brief reopening on Friday caused oil prices to drop, fuel shortages persist, and renewed restrictions by Iran are expected to drive prices upward.

Potential for a second round of talks

President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran against attempting to “blackmail” the U.S. by closing the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that Iran had acted “a little cute” with the U.S.

However, he maintained a positive outlook when speaking with reporters at the White House on Saturday morning, acknowledging the possibility of a second round of talks.

“We’re talking to them. They wanted to close up the Strait again—you know, as they’ve been doing for years—and they can’t blackmail us,” he stated. “It’s going actually along very well, and we’ll see, but we’ll have some information by the end of the day.”

The primary obstacle remains Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, with U.S. officials insisting on its handover as part of any agreement.

Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran has not agreed to a date for a second round of talks.

“We are now focusing on finalising ​the framework of understanding between the two sides. We don’t want to enter into any negotiation or meeting which is doomed to fail and which can be a ​pretext for another round of escalation,” Iranian deputy foreign minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, informed reporters in Turkey.

Iran’s national security council indicated that it had received new U.S. proposals via Pakistani mediation and was reviewing them, but had not yet provided a response.

A fragile cease-fire in Lebanon has prompted tens of thousands of displaced families to begin their return home, despite ongoing violence. Lebanese officials accused Israel of violating the truce within hours of its commencement, and a French peacekeeper was reportedly killed in an attack attributed to the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah.

Residents in southern Lebanon have also reported continued shelling, while the Israeli military stated it had conducted “precise strikes” against Hezbollah positions, accusing the group of breaching “cease-fire understandings.” These conflicting accounts highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the 10-day truce, which is considered vital in preventing the broader Iran-Israel conflict from escalating further.

The cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Thursday night, following weeks of strikes that resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon, according to Lebanese health authorities.