Ships report attacks after Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, as Trump…

Iran’s Security Council says it is “determined” to control the Strait of Hormuz until the end of the war, and calls the continued US blockade of Iranian ports a “ceasefire violation.”

The main shipping channel was reopened by Iran on Friday, but has now been closed again.

Donald Trump says “great conversations” are underway with Iran, but that the US will not be “blackmailed” over the strait.

An oil tanker and a container ship have both reported attacks off the coast of Oman, the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations says.

It is difficult to keep up with what is really happening in the Strait of Hormuz, our correspondent writes, and this casts doubt on Trump’s claim of an imminent agreement.

Elsewhere, President Emmanuel Macron says a French soldier has been killed in Lebanon while taking part in a peacekeeping mission. In a statement, Unifil says one of its patrols “came under small arms fire from non-state actors” – the Iran-backed Hezbollah group denies involvement

■ Trump’s comments on Strait of Hormuz have no validity, Iranian navy says

The Iranian navy says the continued US blockade of Iranian ports is a “violation of ceasefire conditions.”

Recall that earlier this month Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire, during which they agreed that maritime traffic will be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

The vital sea route was closed again by Iran today and the Iranian navy says it will remain closed until the US blockade of Iranian ships and ports is lifted.

In its latest statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy says that statements made by Trump about the Strait of Hormuz “have no validity.”

It is unclear whether the statement refers to specific comments by the American president.

Earlier, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Iranian leaders want to close the strait, but the United States will not allow them to “blackmail us.”

Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz again: latest developments in the war in the Middle East

■ Iranian Navy: Strait closed until US blockade is lifted, approaching ships will be targeted

Ships and oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, on April 18.
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Ships and oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman. Pictured earlier today

We can bring you an update from the Iranian navy. It is said that from tonight the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until the US blockade on Iranian ports is lifted.

In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy warns that “no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of ​​Oman.”

A number of ships are said to have passed through the strait under its management since last night, but that the waterway will be closed again until the US lifts its blockade of Iranian ports.

“The approach to the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy and the offending vessel will be targeted,” it adds.

[BBC]

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