Strait of Hormuz closed again, Iran says, as ships attacked
Iran says it is closing the Strait of Hormuz again to commercial vessels and that "any ship that approaches it will be targeted" on Saturday. The closure came as reports emerged of vessels in or near the strait, including a tanker, being targeted by Tehran. The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) blamed a continuing US blockade for its decision.
President Donald Trump said Iran cannot "blackmail" the US with threats regarding the waterway, which Tehran has effectively blocked for nearly two months - causing global energy prices to soar. The IRGC Navy warned that "no vessel is to move from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman". The US said it had turned away 23 ships since it began enforcing the blockade on April 13. The SNSC said this was a violation of the ceasefire agreement and that it would stop the reopening of the strait while it was still in place. There have been several reports of vessels being attacked by Iran on Saturday.
The UKMTO said that two Iranian gunboats opened fire on a tanker in the strait and a container ship was also hit by "an unknown projectile" off the north-eastern coast of Oman. India's foreign ministry said it had summoned the Iranian ambassador to convey its "deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz". A two-week ceasefire currently in effect is due to expire on April 22.
Quick Summary
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are escalating as Iran and the US clash over maritime activity. The critical waterway is once again at the center of a geopolitical storm - threatening global trade and security.
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