Tehran reimposes closure of Hormuz Strait following US blockade

Cairo (Egypt), 18 Apr. (LaPresse/AP) – Iran has swiftly backtracked on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, reintroducing transit restrictions today, after the United States stated that the reopening of the waterway would not put an end to the US naval blockade. The Iranian Joint Military Command stated on Saturday that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state… under the strict management and control of the armed forces”. It also warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in force. The announcement came the morning after Donald Trump stated that the US blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches an agreement with the United States, including on its nuclear programme.