Iran on Saturday returned the Strait of Hormuz to full military supervision, hours after briefly allowing normal passage through the strategic shipping corridor used by global oil and gas tankers.
The reversal came amid escalating tensions with the United States, after Donald Trump maintained that a US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in force until a comprehensive peace agreement is reached.
Tehran had earlier announced that the waterway was open following a ceasefire linked to Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The development had initially calmed global markets and pushed oil prices downward. However, Iranian state television later quoted military authorities as saying the strait had been placed back under strict armed control in response to the continued American maritime pressure.
Maritime tracking data showed several commercial vessels attempting to move quickly through the narrow channel during the window of uncertainty. Some ships reportedly sailed close to Iranian waters and signaled their nationality as Indian or Chinese, apparently to demonstrate neutrality. While a number of tankers successfully crossed into the Gulf of Oman, others were seen turning back.
The renewed restrictions come with only a few days left in a fragile two-week ceasefire tied to the wider US-Israeli confrontation with Iran that began on February 28.
Despite the tension, President Trump has expressed optimism that negotiations are nearing a breakthrough. He praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts and suggested that a deal could be reached soon.
Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, recently concluded talks in Tehran focused on advancing the peace process, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited regional capitals including Riyadh, Doha and Ankara to build diplomatic support.
Egypt has also indicated that discussions are progressing toward a possible agreement in the coming days.
Islamabad has taken a leading role in facilitating dialogue, having hosted earlier talks attended by US Vice President JD Vance. Another round of negotiations is expected in the Pakistani capital later this week.
Two major issues remain unresolved: Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the future status of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
President Trump stated that Iran had agreed to hand over hundreds of kilograms of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels. Iranian officials quickly rejected that claim, insisting no such transfer was discussed and that the material would remain within the country.
Meanwhile, Iran’s civil aviation authority announced the reopening of its airspace for international transit flights through eastern routes, signaling partial restoration of normal operations.
However, internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that domestic internet restrictions imposed at the start of the conflict have now lasted 50 days, leaving many Iranians disconnected from the global internet.
