Capitals, April 18 (SANA)– Tensions have escalated again in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran announced on Saturday that it had reimposed restrictions and effectively closed the strategic waterway, amid reports that at least two commercial vessels were fired upon while attempting to transit the strait.
The development followed a brief period of relative calm after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the passage had been fully reopened to commercial shipping.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations said two boats belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps opened fire on a tanker and another vessel approximately 37 kilometres northeast of Oman, reportedly without prior warning.
Media reports said one of the ships was a large Indian-flagged oil tanker carrying around two million barrels of Iraqi crude.
The Wall Street Journal reported that about 20 vessels waiting to cross the strait turned back toward Oman, while shipping sources said Iranian naval forces had issued radio messages declaring the closure of the passage and prohibiting transit.
Despite the restrictions, reports indicated that eight tankers managed to pass through the strait on Saturday, according to Reuters, marking the first significant movement since the outbreak of conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran on February 28.
Data from ship-tracking services also showed several tankers leaving the Arabian Gulf before Iran’s announcement of renewed closure.
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