Hormuz Tensions Rise as Iran Reasserts Control, Casting Doubt on Imminent Peace Deal

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Tehran: Iran’s military announced on Saturday that it had once again placed the Strait of Hormuz under strict control, just hours after indicating it had reopened the vital shipping route. The sudden reversal led several commercial vessels to abandon their attempts to pass through the narrow passage.

The back-and-forth over the strait has raised fresh uncertainty about claims by Donald Trump that a peace agreement to end the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran was close. A day earlier, Tehran had declared the waterway open following a ceasefire in Lebanon that paused Israel’s fighting with Hezbollah, a move that briefly lifted global markets and pushed oil prices lower.

However, tensions resurfaced after Trump insisted that a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a final deal was reached. In response, Iran warned it could shut the strait again.

Later on Saturday, Iran’s central military command stated that the strait had returned to “strict management and control” by its armed forces. Around the same time, maritime tracking data showed a surge of activity, with several ships rushing through the passage while others turned back.

By mid-morning GMT, at least eight oil and gas tankers had successfully crossed, but a similar number appeared to retreat after attempting to exit the Gulf. Confusion deepened after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a tanker near Oman had been approached and fired upon by two vessels believed to belong to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The crew remained safe, and investigations were underway.

Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Turkey, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said the United States could not impose its will on Iran through a blockade. Meanwhile, in a written message, Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared that the country’s navy was fully prepared to confront the United States if necessary.

With only four days left in the current two-week ceasefire launched on February 28, uncertainty continues to cloud prospects for a lasting agreement. Despite the volatility, Trump remained optimistic, calling recent developments “great and brilliant” and praising mediation efforts by Pakistan.

Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, concluded a three-day visit to Iran on Saturday aimed at advancing negotiations.