Breaking: Iran makes U-turn on the Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian military again announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, shortly after briefly reopening the vital sea route and allowing several commercial ships to pass through.

The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and responsible for transporting about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, has become the center of renewed tensions following conflicting announcements from Tehran.

Iranian state media said military authorities had “returned control” of the strait to strict armed supervision, linking the move to what they described as an ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports.

The situation created uncertainty for global shipping as some ships reportedly turned back while others continued through the narrow passage under Iranian monitoring.

The developments come amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Iran and regional allies, including Israel and Hezbollah, along with diplomatic efforts reportedly involving mediators such as Pakistan and Egypt.

Previous reports had suggested a temporary easing in the waterway following a ceasefire agreement in a broader regional conflict, raising hopes in global markets and briefly pushing oil prices lower.

However, the latest U-turn has once again raised concerns about the stability of energy supplies and maritime security in the region.

Talks aimed at stabilizing the situation are expected to continue, with diplomatic efforts underway to prevent further escalation.

Afp