Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again, directly defying United States President Donald Trump’s stance on maintaining a blockade against Iranian ports.
The Iranian military’s joint command announced the move in a statement reported by state media, confirming that the strategic shipping route has been placed back under strict control.
The development followed Trump’s insistence a day earlier that the US would continue its blockade in the Persian Gulf, despite Iran previously easing its de facto closure of the vital oil transit route.
A spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya said the decision was taken after the US refused to lift its blockade, adding that the strait would “return to its previous state.”
Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, also confirmed the situation, stating that the key shipping lane “is now closed again and passage requires IRAN approval.”
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The military statement reads:
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, following previous agreements in negotiations, has agreed in good faith to the managed passage of a limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Unfortunately, the Americans… continue… the so-called blockade.
“For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, and this strategic strait is under the strict management and control of the armed forces.”
“As long as the United States does not end the complete freedom of passage of vessels from Iran to destination and from destination to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain under strict control and in its previous state.”
Earlier on Friday, Trump said Iran had committed “to never close the Strait of Hormuz again” after reopening the waterway to shipping traffic.