Hormuz shock: Iran reimposes shipping curbs just 24 hours after reopening

An Iranian military spokesperson, quoted by CNN, said Tehran had earlier permitted a limited number of oil tankers and commercial vessels to transit the strait. However, he accused the US of continuing “piracy and maritime theft” under the guise of enforcement actions, according to remarks carried by the semi-official Fars News Agency.

In a separate development, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker navigating the Strait of Hormuz came under fire from two gunboats allegedly operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The incident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. UKMTO said the vessel and its crew were safe, adding that an investigation into the episode is ongoing.

The situation marks a sharp reversal within 24 hours. On Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi had announced the reopening of the strait, allowing commercial vessels to pass through designated routes during the ceasefire period.

“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared fully open,” Araghchi said in a post on X.

Reacting to the development, US President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed not to shut the strait again, describing it as a step to prevent its use as a “weapon against the world.” However, he noted that a US naval blockade would remain in place until a broader agreement with Tehran is reached.