IRGC takes control of Strait of Hormuz in protest against US blockade

Iran has warned that if the US naval blockade continues, it will consider it a violation of the ongoing ceasefire between the two countries and the Strait of Hormuz may be closed again if necessary. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported this information on Friday (April 17) citing a source close to Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

The source said that as part of the ceasefire plan proposed by Pakistan, Iran had initially agreed to allow limited shipping traffic. However, the process was suspended due to the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon. Now that the ceasefire is in effect in Lebanon, Iran has allowed commercial shipping to pass again, but has imposed three strict conditions.

Since the joint attack by the US and Israel on February 28, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has strengthened control over the Strait of Hormuz. On the other hand, Washington imposed a strict naval blockade on Iran after peace talks in Islamabad failed, further escalating regional tensions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz would be kept “fully open” to all commercial shipping, in line with a ceasefire in Lebanon. However, Donald Trump welcomed the announcement but made it clear that the US naval blockade on Iran would remain in place.

Washington’s intransigence has come as Tehran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz again, signaling new uncertainty for global energy supplies and maritime trade.

A two-week temporary ceasefire has been in place between Iran, the US and Israel since April 8. While a second round of peace talks is due to take place during this period, the recent standoff has cast fresh doubt on a possible agreement.