Iran’s military on Saturday accused the United States of acts of “piracy” and “sea robbery” in its blockade of its ports — and that in response it is resuming control of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Control over the Strait of Hormuz has been returned to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is under strict management and control by the Armed Forces,” a spokesman said.
In a statement to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the spokesman insisted that until the US ended restrictions on the free movement of vessels to and from Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz “will remain tightly controlled and unchanged from its previous status.”
Iran announced on Friday morning that the strait was open for maritime traffic, and mid-afternoon data showed that commercial vessels were passing through the strategic waterway, though only a small number.
President Donald Trump greeted the news in a Truth Social post, writing that “Iran has just announced that the Strait of Iran is fully open and ready for passage.”
The market reaction to the announcement saw stocks climb higher and oil fall.
Hours later, a large group of vessels sailed toward the strait but inexplicably turned away, ship-tracking data shows, raising questions about the status of this critical chokepoint.
On Saturday, US Central Command shared an image on its X account of USS Canberra patrolling the Arabian Sea during the blockade.
It said: “Since commencement of the blockade, 23 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around. American forces are enforcing a maritime blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.”
Opening the strait has been a central demand since the start of a fragile ceasefire earlier this month and amid the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The strategic Strait of Hormuz is a narrow chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and a major artery for global shipments of oil and natural gas.
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