Two months into the war that started with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the vital sea channel remains closed

Iran showcased its tightened grip over the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, releasing footage of commandos storming a large cargo ship and announcing its first proceeds from tolls imposed on vessels transiting the waterway.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said they forced two ships to the Iranian shore from the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow gateway for one-fifth of the world's oil.

Contrary to analyses by some Western media, the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz might achieve the precise opposite of its stated aims of submission of the Iranian regime, by empowering Tehran as a defiant power, and accelerating the very multipolar realignment Washington has long sought to contain.

Iran’s military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again yesterday, prompting ships to abandon attempts to transit the waterway and President Donald Trump to warn Tehran against trying to “blackmail” the United States.

Uncertainty grows after reopening reversed within hours

BSC vessel forced to return to anchorage after Iranian navy orders halt despite reopening announcement

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi yesterday said the Strait of Hormuz was open following a ceasefire agreed on in Lebanon, while US President Donald Trump said he believed a deal to end the Iran war would come “soon”, though the timing remained unclear.

Trump welcomes Iranian announcement

Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz risks derailing US–Iran talks, escalating tensions over nuclear demands and global oil supplies.

Strait traffic remains far below pre-war levels, industry sources report

Data from maritime tracking firm Kpler indicates

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that any Iranian attack boats that approach the American naval blockade around Iran's ports would be destroyed, despite international calls for a ceasefire to be respected and negotiations to resume

Dhaka approaches Latvia, Brunei, requests Saudi Arabia rerouting, and holds talks with Russian representatives

Conference aims to form “strictly defensive” multinational effort to restore freedom of navigation

Here are details on the planned blockade and its implications for oil markets.

Any Iranian firing at American vessels will be 'blown to hell', he says

After nearly 40 days stranded in the Gulf due to the Iran war, Banglar Joyjatra was forced to turn back as Iranian authorities refused transit clearance

Tehran has agreed to temporarily reopen the strait, through which one-fifth of the world's oil usually passes, as part of a two-week truce

The vessel, with 31 crew members on board, is carrying 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser