In a dramatic reversal that nullifies yesterday’s hopes for peace, Tehran announced today, Saturday, April 18, that it is regaining “strict and absolute control” of the .
This decision comes as a direct response to the from , despite the ceasefire that is in force.
No more “good faith” – American piracy allegations
The command of the Iranian armed forces, “Hatam al-Anbiya”, with its announcement on state television, made it clear that yesterday’s decision to open the sea passage is definitively revoked.
“We allowed ships to pass in good faith, but the Americans violated their commitments by continuing acts of piracy under the guise of a blockade,” the statement said.
Now, the strategic passage through which 1/5 of the world’s oil consumption is transported, returns to a regime of full control by Tehran, with passage allowed only with express Iranian permission.
The truce is on a tightrope: Trump’s ultimatum
This move by Iran comes a few hours after the harsh statements of Donald Trump, who from the presidential plane issued a crude ultimatum until next Wednesday.
The American president explained that if there is no final agreement (which includes the delivery of enriched uranium to the US), the bombs will start falling again.
The three fronts of the crisis:
- Financial thriller: The oil market, which yesterday reacted with relief, is now facing a new shock, as the Hormuz “faucet” closes again.
- Nuclear Stalemate: Trump insists on the transfer of uranium to the US without financial compensation, a term that Tehran calls “unthinkable”.
- Diplomatic murky landscape: Despite Beijing’s involvement and the planned Trump-Xi Jinping meeting in May, the situation on the ground portends a new flare-up before the leaders even reach the negotiating table.
“Enough” VS “Strict Control”
While Trump is trying to impose order on his allies (forbidding Israel to strike Lebanon with the characteristic “Enough!!!”), on the Iran front the strategy of “maximum pressure” seems to be leading to a stalemate.
Tehran, through parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf, responds that “with lies and blockades, the Straits will not remain open”.
The coming week is seen as the most critical for the Middle East, with Wednesday being the watershed that will decide whether the region is headed for a permanent deal or all-out war.
