Iran Shuts Hormuz Strait Again as Tankers Caught Mid-Transit Amid Fragile Truce

Iranian military authorities re-imposed a closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, reversing an earlier decision to reopen the waterway and disrupting the passage of commercial vessels at one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

The sudden reversal, announced by Iran’s military central command and broadcast on state television, came just hours after Tehran had permitted more than a dozen ships to navigate the narrow channel.

Officials stated that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous status” and is now “under strict management and control of the armed forces,” citing the continued United States naval blockade of Iranian ports as justification for the renewed restriction.

Ships Scramble as Uncertainty Grips Vital Route

Maritime tracking data revealed a chaotic scene on the water as the announcement was made. Several commercial oil and gas tankers were observed making a hurried dash through the strait, hugging closely to Iranian territorial waters as previously instructed by Tehran. Some vessels broadcast their identities as Indian or Chinese in what analysts interpreted as an effort to signal neutrality and ensure safe passage.

By mid-morning Saturday, no fewer than eight tankers had successfully crossed the strait. However, an equal number of ships that had begun exiting the Persian Gulf abruptly reversed course and turned back, according to tracking sites, highlighting the precarious security situation.

Peace Talks Continue Despite Military Manoeuvres

The oscillating status of the Hormuz Strait has cast a shadow over diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war with Iran, now entering its final days of a two-week ceasefire. The truce, which also paused hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, had briefly raised hopes of de-escalation.

US President Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone on Friday, stating a peace deal was “very close” and declaring the situation “GREAT AND BRILLIANT.” He claimed that Iran had agreed to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a key sticking point in negotiations.

However, Iranian officials swiftly contradicted this claim. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated unequivocally that “Iran’s enriched uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere” and that the matter “has never been raised in negotiations.”

Diplomatic activity continues at a frantic pace, with Pakistan serving as the lead mediator. Field Marshal Asim Munir concluded a three-day visit to Iran on Saturday, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif toured regional capitals including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey to shore up support for the peace process. Egypt also expressed cautious optimism that a final agreement could be reached “in the coming days.”

As negotiations enter a critical phase, the re-closure of the Hormuz Strait serves as a stark reminder of the volatility gripping the region, with global energy markets watching each development closely.