Iran reinstates restrictions on Strait of Hormuz amid escalating US tensions

• Confusion and tightening restrictions at the Strait of Hormuz as Iran and the US escalate maritime tensions.

Iran’s military says it is reimposing restrictions on the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing what it described as “repeated breaches of trust” by the United States in the framework of a ceasefire between the two sides.

In a statement reported by Iranian media, a military spokesman said Tehran had allowed a “limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships” to transit the strategic waterway. However, he accused the United States of continuing “piracy and maritime theft” under what he called a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

“Control of the Strait is under the strict management and control of the armed forces,” the spokesman said, adding that restrictions would remain in place until Washington ends its blockade of vessels leaving and entering Iranian ports, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

The announcement followed a period of confusion over the status of the waterway. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that the Strait was open to commercial traffic, suggesting a more flexible arrangement under coordinated Iranian routes. Hours later, state media clarified that passage remained under full military supervision and could be deemed invalid if the blockade continued.

US President Donald Trump has insisted that a naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place until a comprehensive agreement is reached with Tehran. It remains unclear when or where further negotiations might take place after an initial round of talks in Islamabad reportedly failed to produce a breakthrough.

Iranian outlets offered differing interpretations of Araghchi’s remarks, with some warning they had created “ambiguities” about the conditions for maritime passage. Hardline-aligned sources said transit would remain “limited, subject to payment of fees, and under Iranian management.”

The Iranian navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also reiterated on social media that the status of the Strait would remain unchanged “as long as the passage of vessels… remains under threat.”

The developments have added to uncertainty in global shipping markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies, has seen disrupted and restricted traffic since early March, with shipping companies reportedly cautious and several tankers waiting outside the Gulf amid the latest tensions.