By Ginika Igboke
Iran’s military announced on April 18 that it has reinstated “strict military oversight” of the Strait of Hormuz, citing the continued U.S. naval blockade of Iranian shipping. The move signals a reversal of a brief reopening declared a day earlier and adds uncertainty to ongoing peace negotiations.
Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the strategic waterway is once again under full military control.
“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 said.
Iran had previously allowed limited passage of oil tankers and commercial vessels under what it described as good-faith agreements. However, officials now accuse the United States of violating those understandings through its naval blockade, calling the actions “piracy and maritime theft.”
New Conditions for Ships Passing Through the Strait
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has introduced strict conditions for vessels transiting the strait:
- Civilian ships must follow routes designated by Iran
- Prior authorization from Iranian authorities is required
- Military vessels are prohibited
- Passage depends on the continuation of the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire
The ceasefire, currently set for 10 days, is part of broader diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions linked to Hezbollah’s activities in southern Lebanon.
Despite the restrictions, vessel-tracking data showed tankers continuing to move through the strait, including liquefied petroleum gas carriers and oil and chemical tankers.
Reports of Maritime Incidents
Tensions escalated further with reports of confrontations at sea.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre said Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker in the strait, though no casualties were reported.
“The Master of a Tanker reports being approached by two IRGC gunboats … that then fired upon the tanker,” UKMTO stated, adding that the vessel and crew were safe.
Additionally, two Indian vessels were reportedly forced to turn back after encounters with Iranian naval forces, with reports indicating gunfire may have been involved. It remains unclear whether these incidents are connected.
Reversal of Brief Reopening
The latest move contradicts a statement made just a day earlier by Iran’s foreign minister, who had declared the strait “completely open” for commercial shipping during the temporary ceasefire.
While that announcement helped ease global market concerns and lowered oil prices, Iranian officials later clarified that any reopening would be conditional and tightly controlled.
Iran’s parliamentary leadership warned that continued U.S. pressure—particularly the naval blockade—could result in the strait being closed again.
“Passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted based on designated routes and with Iranian authorization,” an official stated, emphasizing that real conditions, not public statements, would determine access.
U.S. Blockade and Nuclear Tensions Persist
The United States has maintained its naval blockade of Iranian-linked shipping and ports, extending enforcement beyond coastal waters. Iran considers the blockade a violation of ceasefire terms and has warned it may respond with reciprocal measures.
At the same time, nuclear tensions remain unresolved. The United States has suggested working with Iran to recover and remove enriched uranium, but Iranian officials have firmly rejected the idea.
“Iran’s enriched uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
Iran is believed to possess a significant stockpile of uranium enriched to high levels, making the issue central to ongoing negotiations.
Ceasefire at Risk as Deadline Approaches
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the current ceasefire may not be extended beyond its upcoming deadline if no agreement is reached.
“Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain,” he said. “If necessary, military action could resume.”
Despite the tensions, Trump suggested that negotiations are progressing and that a deal could be reached soon, with talks expected to continue in the coming days.
Uncertain Outlook for Global Oil Route
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical النفط transit chokepoints, carrying a significant portion of global oil supply.
With Iran reasserting control and maritime incidents increasing, the situation remains highly volatile. The balance between diplomacy and escalation will likely determine whether the waterway stays open—or becomes a flashpoint for renewed conflict.
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