Iran reimposes shipping restrictions on Strait of Hormuz
The waterway has ‘returned to its previous state’, Tehran says, accusing Washington of banditry and maritime piracy
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again, according to Tehran’s Fars News Agency.
“Control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, and this strategic strait is under the strict management and control of Iran’s Armed Forces,” an Iranian spokesman was quoted as saying.
However, the United States had continued to “engage in banditry and maritime piracy under the guise of a so-called blockade”, the spokesman said.
He added that the strait would remain “tightly controlled” until the US agreed to complete freedom of navigation for vessels passing through the waterway.
Hours after the reversal was announced, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran’s navy was “ready to inflict new bitter defeats on its enemies”, according to a statement posted on social media.