Iran just reopened the Strait of Hormuz, will it close it again?
ISLAMABAD – A convoy of eight tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, marking the first major movement since the US-Israel war against Iran began seven weeks ago. The movement comes amid Tehran’s plans to tighten control once again over the strategic waterway.
As reported by Reuters on Saturday (18 April), Iran said it was reimposing strict military control over the Strait of Hormuz, a route that before the war carried around one-fifth of global oil trade. The move has created fresh uncertainty over the continuation of shipping flows in the region.
US President Donald Trump had earlier said there was “fairly good news” regarding Iran, without providing further details. However, he also warned that fighting could resume if no peace agreement is reached before Wednesday, when the two-week ceasefire expires.
Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic showed four liquefied petroleum gas carriers, along with several oil product and chemical tankers, passing through Iranian waters south of Larak Island. A number of other tankers were reported to be following from the Gulf.
Previously, Iran had temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz following a 10-day ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States between Israel and Lebanon. However, on Saturday, Iran’s Armed Forces Command confirmed that traffic in the strait was once again under tight military control.
Iran said the move was prompted by repeated violations by the United States, as well as actions it described as “piracy” under the guise of a blockade. Tehran stated it had previously agreed, “in good faith”, to limited routing arrangements for tankers and commercial vessels, but US actions had forced it to tighten oversight again.
So far, there has been no official response from the United States.
***No certainty over talks
The war, which began on 28 February, has killed thousands of people, spread to Lebanon, and triggered a surge in oil prices due to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Although shipping activity has begun to reappear, the prospects for high-level talks between the US and Iran remain unclear, including on the key issue of Iran’s nuclear programme.
“Everything seems to be going very well in the Middle East with Iran,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “We are negotiating this weekend. I hope it turns out well.”
He reiterated that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, describing this as a top priority. At the same time, Trump said the ceasefire could be ended if no long-term agreement is reached by Wednesday. The US blockade of Iranian ports is also expected to continue.
Pressure to end the war is rising domestically in the United States, as Republicans seek to maintain a slim majority in Congress ahead of the November midterm elections, amid high fuel prices, inflation, and declining public approval ratings for Trump.
Trump indicated the possibility of further direct talks over the weekend. However, several diplomats считают it unlikely due to logistical constraints in Islamabad.
So far, there are no visible signs of preparations for talks in the Pakistani capital, the venue for last week’s high-level US-Iran negotiations, which ended without agreement.
Pakistan’s chief mediator, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, has completed three days of talks in Tehran. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has just returned to Islamabad after visits to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Sources familiar with the mediation process said a US-Iran meeting could produce an initial memorandum of understanding, which may be followed by a comprehensive peace agreement within 60 days.
However, Iran’s Parliament Speaker and senior negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, warned that the Strait of Hormuz would not remain open if the US blockade continues.
***Nuclear differences remain a sticking point
Differences over Iran’s nuclear programme remain the main obstacle in peace talks. Iran insists its programme is intended for civilian energy purposes.
Trump said the US would remove Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. However, Iranian officials have insisted that the material will not be moved anywhere.
Even so, a senior Iranian official said Tehran hopes an initial agreement can be reached in the coming days.
Hopes of easing tensions briefly pushed oil prices down by around 10% and lifted global stock markets on Friday, amid expectations that shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz could reopen.
In previous negotiations, the US proposed halting Iran’s nuclear programme for 20 years, while Iran offered a pause of three to five years. Sources said signs of compromise are beginning to emerge, including the possibility of a partial reduction in Iran’s uranium stockpile. (YS/LM)
