Iran warns of strikes on vessels nearing Strait of Hormuz
Iran advised ships not to leave their berths (Photo: Getty Images)
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed again starting this evening, and any vessel approaching the waterway will be attacked, according to CNN and NBC News.
"Approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and any violating vessel will be targeted," the statement said.
CNN explains that after the waterway was declared open on Friday, Iran reimposed restrictions on Saturday, citing repeated breaches of trust by the US under the ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
"In violation of the ceasefire agreement, the American enemy did not lift the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. Therefore, starting this evening, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until this blockade is lifted," the IRGC said.
The military group warned that ships should not leave their berths in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The IRGC also called on ships and their owners to follow updates only from Iran, explaining that statements by US President Donald Trump are not trustworthy.
What preceded this
A ceasefire is in place between the US and Iran, and negotiations to end the war are ongoing. However, it is still unclear how close the parties are to an agreement, as the versions from each side differ.
Yesterday, April 17, Iran announced it was ending its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz because a ceasefire had also begun between Israel and Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump welcomed this decision, declaring the strait fully open. However, he added that Washington would continue its naval blockade of Iran until a final agreement is reached.
It is against this backdrop that new problems with the Strait of Hormuz have emerged, and as of this morning, there were reports that Iran was closing it again. In addition, the country attacked several commercial vessels attempting to pass through the strategic route.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that the US is preparing in the coming days to seize oil tankers and commercial vessels linked to Iran — even beyond the Strait of Hormuz — in order to pressure Iran into a deal.
