Iran maintains restrictions on Strait of Hormuz

(SeaPRwire) –   The Islamic Republic has once again closed the strategic waterway, citing what it calls U.S. “piracy”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei stated in an RT interview that the newly imposed restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are legally valid under international law and essential to push back against hostile acts.

On Saturday, Iranian military officials announced that Tehran had reimposed “strict control” over the key waterway—through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil is transported—pointing to the ongoing U.S. blockade of its ports. This came only a day after Tehran had declared the strait open. Later, the Revolutionary Guard Navy Command noted that the strait would stay under Iranian military oversight as long as U.S. restrictions remain in effect.

“This waterway had no safe passage,” Baqaei told RT on Saturday, emphasizing that as a coastal nation, Iran holds the right under international law to take steps against actions it deems hostile.

“We cannot permit enemy ships—particularly military vessels or those associated with nations engaged in aggression—to traverse the strait without restriction, as they present an immediate danger,” the spokesperson asserted.

The U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign led Iran to limit access through the strait for “enemy ships,” causing supply chain disruptions and driving global crude oil prices to surge.

During the initial round of U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad last weekend, oil prices declined amid hopes that the strait would reopen. When the negotiations fell apart, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of Iranian ports and shipping, leading tankers to reverse course and pushing prices back up toward $100 per barrel.

On Friday, Iranian officials announced that the waterway was completely open to commercial ships for the rest of the 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, which led to a drop in crude oil prices due to hopes of de-escalation. However, Tehran reversed this decision after Trump stated that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would stay fully enforced until a peace agreement is finalized.

The disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have had wide-reaching global economic impacts, including higher fuel and energy costs for Europe due to reduced oil supplies. The International Energy Agency has warned that if the disruptions persist, market volatility will increase and jet fuel shortages could occur within six weeks. Humanitarian groups have also highlighted growing threats to global food security as fertilizer and agricultural supply chains are disrupted.