Iran’s central military command announced on Saturday that it would resume “strict management” of the Strait of Hormuz, reversing a decision to unblock the strategic channel as part of negotiations with the US.
In a statement shared on state television, the military command said that Washington had broken a promise by continuing its naval blockade of ships sailing to and from Iran’s ports.
Until the United States restores freedom of movement for all vessels visiting Iran, “the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled,” the statement said.
The fresh announcement came the morning after US President Donald Trump said that the American blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with Washington, including on its nuclear program.
Iran’s Friday announcement about the opening of the crucial body of water, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil is shipped, came as a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon appeared to hold.
But later on Friday, when Trump was asked by a reporter what he would do if there’s no deal when a ceasefire with Iran expires next week, Trump said, “I don’t know. Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain. But maybe I won’t extend it, so you’ll have a blockade, and unfortunately, we’ll have to start dropping bombs again.”
However, Trump also told reporters that, “I think it’s going to happen,” referring to a deal.
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