Iran says control of Strait of Hormuz restored under strict military oversight
Iran says control of Strait of Hormuz restored under strict military oversight
M.U.H
18/04/202612
Tehran: Iran’s military says control over the Strait of Hormuz has been restored to its previous status, with tightened oversight by the country’s Armed Forces.
Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said on Saturday that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state and this strategic strait is under strict management and control of the Armed Forces.”
He noted that Iran had earlier “agreed in good faith, following prior agreements in negotiations, to allow the managed passage of a limited number of oil tankers and commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.”
However, he said that the United States has continued “repeated breaches of commitments” and engaged in “piracy and maritime theft under the so-called blockade.”
“Therefore, control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state,” he added.
Separately, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Naval Force said in a statement on Friday that a “new order” now governs the strait.
In a post on X, it stated that “non-military vessels only transit through the route designated by Iran,” while “the passage of military vessels through the strait remains prohibited.”
It added that all movements require authorization and are being conducted within the framework of a ceasefire period following developments in Lebanon.
Earlier on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will be completely open for the remaining duration of the ceasefire.
“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire,” Araghchi wrote in a post on his X account.
The two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US took effect on April 8.
