Iran returned the Strait of Hormuz to full military control on Saturday, just a day after announcing its reopening to commercial traffic during a U.S.-Iran ceasefire. The rapid reversal came amid persistent U.S. naval restrictions and low actual transits, heightening tensions in the key energy corridor.
The Strait of Hormuz, previously restricted amid the Iran conflict, saw Iran declare it 'completely open' to commercial vessels on Friday in coordination with truce terms. However, transit remained minimal: Kpler data showed only eight tankers and gas carriers passing at dawn, far below the pre-war average of 130 daily, due to the ongoing U.S. naval blockade that turned back 23 ships, per U.S. Central Command.
On Saturday, Iranian Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfagari of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters announced a return to the strait's 'previous state'—full Iranian military oversight, transit limits, and renewed accusations of U.S. 'piracy.' Iranian Parliament President Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf had warned on X that the strait 'will not remain open' while the U.S. blockade persists.
Markets initially surged on news of a permanent reopening: Brent crude fell 10.9% to $88.56, WTI dropped 11.5% to $83.80, and the S&P 500 rose 1.2% to 7,126. But reports of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speedboat attacks on a tanker northeast of Oman (UK Maritime Trade Office) and shots fired at two merchant vessels (Reuters) underscored ongoing risks. The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is set to expire Wednesday.
