Iran Reimposes Strict Controls on Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating US Tensions, Defying Trump’s ‘Completely Open’ Claim
Tehran/Dubai – Iran has swiftly reimposed tight military control over the Strait of Hormuz, just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump declared the vital waterway “completely open.” The move, announced by Iranian military leaders on Saturday, cites ongoing U.S. naval blockades of Iranian ports as the primary reason, escalating tensions in the ongoing 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Iran’s joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, stated that the strait is now under “strict observation and control” by Iranian forces, effectively reverting to pre-ceasefire restrictions. “As long as the United States does not ensure full freedom of navigation for vessels traveling to and from Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled,” the military emphasized in a statement reported widely across state media.[1][2]
Timeline of Rapid Reversal
The dramatic turnaround follows a brief window of openness tied to a fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that “passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route.” This route, near Iran’s Larak Island, was designed to avoid sea mines and required explicit clearance from Iranian authorities, excluding vessels linked to the U.S. or Israel.[2]
Hours later, President Trump echoed the sentiment in a CBS News interview, stating the strait was “completely open and ready for business.” However, he qualified this by affirming the U.S. would maintain its “military blockade of Iranian ports and vessels until we get it done,” referencing ongoing nuclear negotiations where Iran allegedly “agreed to everything” including uranium removal.[2][7]
Iran’s response was immediate. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned on social media that “with the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” conditioning passage on Iranian authorization. By Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reiterated that military vessels are banned, with only non-military ships permitted on designated routes under IRGC oversight. Reports emerged of at least two merchant vessels struck by gunfire while attempting to cross, prompting maritime security alerts.[1][2][6]
Broader Context of the Crisis
The Strait of Hormuz, a 21-mile-wide chokepoint at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, handles about 20% of global oil trade. Iran first restricted traffic on February 28, 2026, using attacks from boats, missiles, drones, sea mines, and GPS jamming, reducing tanker traffic by over 70% and anchoring more than 150 ships outside the area. The IRGC explicitly closed it to vessels heading to or from U.S., Israel, and allied ports by March 27, breaching the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.[5]
Partial allowances were made for non-aligned ships, such as Turkish, Indian, and Saudi vessels earlier in the crisis. However, the latest reimposition signals a return to near-total control, with Iranian state media broadcasting closures and owners reporting gunfire incidents less than 24 hours after the foreign minister’s openness pledge.[3][4][5]
Global Implications and Market Shock
The reclosure has sent oil prices surging, with Brent crude jumping 5% in early trading Saturday amid fears of prolonged disruptions. Major shipping firms have again suspended operations, echoing the near-zero traffic seen in March. Insurance premiums for the strait have skyrocketed due to the multifaceted threats, deterring even risk-tolerant operators.[5]
U.S. officials have not yet responded officially to Iran’s latest moves, but Trump’s insistence on the blockade underscores a hardline stance linking naval pressure to nuclear talks. Iranian officials, meanwhile, frame the controls as defensive against “US violations,” demanding guarantees for free access to their ports.[1]
“Only non-military vessels are permitted to transit, and strictly along designated routes with authorization from the IRGC Navy.” – Senior Iranian military official, via IRIB state TV.[2]
Expert Analysis and Warnings
Maritime experts warn that the yo-yo policy – open one day, restricted the next – creates unprecedented uncertainty. “Iran’s four-pronged strategy of physical attacks, mines, jamming, and warnings makes the strait effectively impassable without permission,” notes the International Crisis Group, highlighting how it amplifies insurance costs and halts trade.[5][7]
As negotiations loom this weekend, the world watches the strait closely. Failure to resolve the impasse could tip the region into broader conflict, with energy markets and global supply chains hanging in the balance. Iranian state media reports suggest the military’s grip will persist until U.S. concessions, while Trump administration sources hint at readiness to enforce the blockade indefinitely.[2][3]
For now, the Strait of Hormuz – once a symbol of open commerce – remains a flashpoint of geopolitical brinkmanship.