Iran’s armed forces said Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz had returned to strict military management, reversing the brief reopening announced a day earlier. The shift followed Washington’s decision to keep its naval blockade on Iranian ports in place, leaving only limited tanker movement through the waterway.
President Trump said the blockade will stay in effect until a broader deal with Tehran is completed. He also said talks are continuing, but warned the ceasefire could lapse on Wednesday, April 22, if no longer-term agreement is reached.
The renewed restrictions put fresh strain on one of the world’s most important shipping routes. A convoy of tankers moved through the strait on Saturday, marking the first major transit since the war began in late February, but traffic remains far from normal. Maritime sources also reported gunfire involving merchant vessels trying to cross. Because a large share of global oil trade normally passes through Hormuz, even limited disruption there can quickly ripple through shipping and energy markets.
