Iranian leadership claimed on Saturday that it has regained military control over the Strait of Hormuz and that this control will remain in place unless the United States guarantees full freedom of movement for vessels traveling to and from Iran.
According to Iran International, Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran’s joint military command, stated that the strait is now under strict observation and control by Iranian forces, effectively reinstating its previous restricted status.
The Iranian military statement emphasized, “As long as the United States does not ensure full freedom of navigation for vessels traveling to and from Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled.”
Following the military’s announcement, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declared that Iran’s navy is prepared to inflict “new bitter defeats” on its enemies, in a message posted on his Telegram channel on Saturday.
The threat was also repeated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which reiterated earlier on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain under close Iranian surveillance unless the US guarantees free navigation for ships entering and leaving Iranian waters, according to a report by Reuters.
At least two merchant vessels reported being hit by gunfire while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to three maritime security and shipping sources.
The extent of the damage was not immediately clear; however, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency stated that it had received a report of a tanker being fired upon by “two gunboats linked to the IRGC” approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman.
The captain of the tanker reported that the two gunboats opened fire without issuing a radio challenge. UKMTO noted in its advisory that the vessel and its crew were safe.
According to a CNN report, the negotiations between Iran and the US are due to continue on Monday, with no venue decided yet.
The report noted that neither the US nor Iran confirmed this news, while only Trump referred to the talks having “good progress.”
President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he may end the ceasefire with Iran unless a long-term agreement to conclude the conflict is reached by Wednesday.
Some of Trump’s recent statements, including Iran’s agreement to allow the US to take possession of their enriched uranium, have been denied by Iranian officials, leaving the actual progress of negotiations unclear.
Source:
www.jpost.com
