Iran is threatening to attack any vessel that approaches the Strait of Hormuz
19 April 07:03
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again since the evening of April 18, and that any vessel approaching the waterway will be attacked
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing CNN and NBC News.
“Approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered collaboration with the enemy, and any vessel that violates the rules will be fired upon,” the statement said.
CNN explains that after announcing the opening of the waterway on Friday, Iran reimposed restrictions on Saturday, citing “repeated breaches of trust” by the U.S. under the ceasefire agreement between the countries.
“In violation of the ceasefire agreement, the U.S. adversary has not lifted the naval blockade of Iranian ships 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 Sea of Oman.
The IRGC also urged ships and their owners to follow updates exclusively from Iran, explaining that statements by U.S. President Donald Trump “are not to be trusted.”
What led up to this
It should be noted that a ceasefire is in effect between the U.S. and Iran, and negotiations to end the war are ongoing. However, it remains unclear how close the parties are to an agreement, as each side is presenting different accounts.
On April 17, Iran announced the lifting of its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as a ceasefire had also begun between Israel and Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed this decision, announcing the full reopening of the strait. However, he added that Washington would continue its naval blockade of Iran until the parties finally reach an agreement.
In fact, it was against this backdrop that new problems with the Strait of Hormuz began, and by the morning of April 18, there were reports that Iran was closing it again. Additionally, the country attacked several merchant ships attempting to pass through the strategic waterway.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. is preparing to seize oil tankers and merchant ships linked to Iran in the coming days. Moreover, the seizures will take place even beyond the Strait of Hormuz to pressure Iran and force it to agree to a deal.
