Iran announced on Saturday that it would reinstate strict oversight of the Strait of Hormuz, reversing a brief decision to reopen the waterway as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States.
In a statement attributed to the Khatam al-Anbiya spokesperson, Iranian officials said the earlier agreement allowing limited commercial and oil tanker movement had been based on good-faith negotiations. However, Tehran accused Washington of breaking commitments by continuing what it described as a naval blockade on vessels linked to Iranian ports.
“The control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state,” the statement said, adding that the waterway would now be subject to “strict management and control” by Iran’s armed forces.
The move follows a volatile week in which tentative signs of de-escalation between Tehran and Washington briefly lifted global markets. Optimism had grown after Donald Trump suggested that a broader agreement with Iran was close, claiming progress on issues including Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
Trump told supporters in Arizona that negotiations were advancing quickly, although Iranian officials rejected claims that any uranium transfer agreement had been reached.
Tensions escalated again after Iranian leaders warned that continued US naval restrictions could prompt a full closure of the strait. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said passage through the route would require Iranian approval, while foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei described the blockade as a violation of the ceasefire arrangement.
US military sources said forces had redirected multiple vessels since the blockade began, underscoring heightened naval activity in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, with roughly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it. Any disruption typically sends immediate shockwaves through energy markets.
Despite the renewed restrictions, diplomatic efforts continued on multiple fronts. Mediation led by Pakistan had recently facilitated direct talks between US and Iranian representatives in Islamabad, while Gulf states have also pushed for de-escalation.
Trump indicated that the United States may extend the current ceasefire, though he maintained that naval restrictions would remain in place if no agreement is reached. He added that discussions were “very close” to a deal, though no formal text has been released.
At the same time, regional tensions remain elevated. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that military operations against Hezbollah are ongoing, while Hezbollah said it remains prepared to respond to further escalation.
The situation has contributed to volatility in global oil markets, which initially fell on hopes of a breakthrough before reacting to renewed uncertainty over the strait’s status.
As diplomatic channels remain active, the latest developments highlight the fragility of negotiations and the continued strategic importance of the Gulf’s shipping lanes to global energy security.
