The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps has reclosed the Strait of Hormuz over the US’s continuation of its naval blockade of Iran.
Iranian military’s operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, announced on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has “reverted to its previous state.” This comes less than 24 hours after the country declared that the waterway was opened to all commercial vessels.
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The Guardian, quoting the Iranian media, reported that Iranian authorities described the ongoing US blockade as “piracy.”
“For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz has reverted to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is under the strict management and control of the armed forces,” they said.
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The Iranian army has also begun attacking vessels attempting to pass through the strait.
Reuters reported that at least two merchant vessels were hit by gunfire as they attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK also said it received a report of a tanker coming under fire near the Strait of Hormuz by two gunboats.
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According to the country’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the attacks were linked to Iran.
“UKMTO has received a report of an incident 20NM northeast of OMAN. The Master of a Tanker reports being approached by 2 IRGC gun boats, no VHF challenge, and then being fired upon by the tanker. The tanker and crew are reported safe,” it said.
However, Iran has said the Strait will remain closed until the US stops its naval blockade.
“Until the US restores the complete freedom of navigation for vessels from an Iranian origin to a destination, and from a destination back to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled and in its previous state,” he said.
However, Mr Trump has said the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz will remain until a deal is reached.
He also threatened to attack Iran if a deal isn’t reached by the end of the ceasefire agreement.
“Unfortunately, we’ll have to start dropping bombs again,” he said.
The Iranian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, described the US blockade of Iranian ports as unjustifiable.
He also said the country will not accept orders on its ports or any other “orders” from the US.TRUMP
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“There will never be any blockade in the future. The era of colonialism must come to an end. The US “cannot dictate orders to other nations,” he said.
When asked about Mr Trump’s threat to resume attacks, Mr Khatibzadeh said the US president “talks too much.”
“He said contradictory things within the same statement. I don’t know exactly what he meant,” he said.
Mr Khatibzadeh also said the US and Israel’s war with Iran cannot lead to any positive outcome.
However, he noted that Iran remains “ready to keep defending itself if under attack. We will fight until the last Iranian soldier.”
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