Iran reimposes restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz - Taipei Times

Iran yesterday rowed back on its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and fired on a tanker attempting to pass through the waterway. It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.

Confusion over the critical chokepoint threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy and push the two countries toward renewed conflict, even as mediators expressed confidence a new deal was within reach.

Two gunboats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the British Maritime Trade Operations center said, adding that the tanker and its crew were safe.

Photo: AP

TankerTrackers.com reported vessels were forced to turn around in the strait, including an Indian-flagged super tanker, after they were fired on by Iran.

The developments came after US President Donald Trump said the blockade "will remain in full force" until Tehran reaches a deal with Washington, including on its nuclear program.

Tehran had reopened the strait on Friday to commercial vessels.

Despite the escalation, Pakistani officials said the US and Iran are still moving closer to a deal ahead of the ceasefire deadline on Wednesday next week.

Iran has prevented vessels from crossing Hormuz throughout the seven-week-long war, except for ones it authorizes, and said it would not hand over enriched uranium to the US.

Iranian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Saeed Khatibzadeh said Iranians were not ready for a new round of face-to-face talks with the US, because the latter "have not abandoned their maximalist position."

A senior Iranian lawmaker said only commercial vessels authorized by the Revolutionary Guard are allowed to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian National Security Commission head Ebrahim Azizi said commercial vessels must pay "required tolls" before transiting the strait, using a route set by Iran last month.

The mechanism could change "if the US attempts to create any disturbance for Iranian ships," he added.

Iran's Defense Ministry spokesperson said the Strait of Hormuz is only open during a ceasefire and conditionally, two Iranian semiofficial news agencies reported.

Brig. Gen. Reza Talaei-Nik said "military vessels and those linked to hostile forces have no right" of transit, according to the ISNA and Mehr news agencies.