Iran reimposes restrictions in Strait of Hormuz, accuses US of violating ceasefire

Iran swiftly reversed course on Saturday after the US said it would not end its blockade of Iran-linked shipping. Iran’s joint military command said that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state … under strict management and control of the armed forces.” It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.

The development comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in West Asia. A fresh round of talks between Iranian and American negotiators is expected to take place in Islamabad on Monday, Iranian officials familiar with the discussions told CNN. They added that delegations are likely to arrive in the Pakistani capital on Sunday, according to CNN.

US President Donald Trump said that even after Iran declared the strait reopened on Friday, the American blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with Washington, including on its nuclear programme.

The conflict over the strategic chokepoint has threatened to deepen the global energy crisis. Oil prices had begun to fall on Friday amid hopes that the US and Iran were moving closer to an agreement. However, renewed restrictions risk tightening supply again. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait, and any disruption could drive prices higher.

Control over the strait remains one of Iran’s key points of leverage. The situation has prompted the United States to deploy forces and initiate a blockade on Iranian ports as part of efforts to push Tehran to accept a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending nearly seven weeks of conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran.

Iran had earlier said it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels following a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. However, after Trump reiterated that the blockade would continue, Iranian officials said the move violated last week’s ceasefire agreement and warned the strait would not remain open under such conditions.

Shipping data firm Kpler said vessel movement through the strait remains limited to corridors requiring Iran’s approval. Meanwhile, US Central Command said American forces have sent 21 ships back to Iran since the blockade began on Monday, according to a post on X.

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