On Saturday, Iran’s military changed direction. One day after claiming the Strait of Hormuz was “fully open,” the armed forces said they had tightened their hard control again over the world’s most vital oil route.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command said that control of the Strait of Hormuz is back to how it was before, and that the waterway is now being tightly run and secured by the armed forces.
The energy markets worldwide were shocked. It also sparked new worries that tensions between Tehran and Washington could keep escalating.
What Triggered the Reversal?
Iran’s top joint military command said the US. did not live up to its commitments. Iran agreed to let a small number of ships cross the Strait of Hormuz, following the existing agreements. But the United States failed to meet its promises. Iran’s joint command, via state broadcaster IRIB, said the Strait of Hormuz has closed again and ships now need Iran’s permission to pass.
So, Iran put the whole waterway under armed forces control again. Iran’s semi-official Fars News agency reported that Iran’s navy warned: if the US. breaks its commitments, Iran will respond appropriately.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump remained steadfast. Trump said the US. blockade will stay fully in place until a peace agreement is reached, including one that addresses Iran’s nuclear program.
Gunboats Fire on Tanker, Tensions Escalate Fast
Things on the water got worse fast. On Saturday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations center said two Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats opened fire on a tanker while it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker and crew stayed safe, but authorities began an investigation.
Also, the British monitoring group said a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unidentified projectile. The attack damaged some containers, but there were no immediate reports of fires or injuries.
Data shipping companies verified the chaos. TankerTrackers.com said that ships, including a supertanker flying the Indian flag, were hit with fire and then ordered to reverse in the strait.
The Stakes: 20% of Global Oil at Risk
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial strategically. Before the war, about one in five barrels of the world’s oil usually moved through that waterway. So any closure hits world energy prices right away.
Friday’s short reopening announcement already sparked a quick, sharp reaction in markets. US. crude fell 11.4% to $83.85 a barrel, its lowest since March 10, and global Brent dropped 9% to $90.38. But Saturday’s turnaround erased those gains right away.
Kpler says ships keep moving through the strait only in approved lanes that need Iran’s permission.
Diplomatic Channels Still Active
Even as tensions grew, diplomacy didn’t fully fall apart. Pakistani officials claim the United States and Iran are still edging toward an agreement before the April 22 ceasefire deadline. Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, called the Lebanon ceasefire a hopeful step, saying the Israel–Hezbollah fighting had been the main problem before talks in Islamabad wrapped up last weekend “very close” to a deal.
Trump also said talks were continuing, adding, “It’s going pretty well. We’ll know more by the end of the day, but we’ll see how things turn out.”
Iran sticks to its main demand. Iranian military officials said the strait won’t open completely until the United States grants full freedom of navigation to ships traveling from Iran.
Iran’s grip on the strait has become a major bargaining chip, so the US. has sent in troops and set up a blockade of Iranian ports, aiming to pressure Iran into accepting a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan.
Both sides are stuck in a risky cycle, insisting on demands the other won’t agree to, and calling that peace. April 22 is coming fast. Energy markets worldwide wait nervously, and every tanker captain in the Persian Gulf holds their breath.
“Sources: NBC News, Associated Press, Newsweek, IRIB (Iran State Broadcaster), Military.com”
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