Iran Backtracks On Strait Of Hormuz Reopening, Accuses US of “Sea Robbery”

By Rotela Oguns

The excitement that greeted the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of blockade has turned out to be momentary as another development has forced Iran to reimpose restrictions on vessels passing through the critical waterway.

This is happening barely a day after the world heaved a sigh of relief, while expecting a plummet in oil price which has skyrocketed over the past weeks following the Iranian government blockade of  the waterways in response to the relentless attacks from US ànd Israel.

While highlighting the reason for the volte-face by the gulf nation, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia central headquarters spokesman, stated that  the United States’ continuing acts of “piracy” and “sea robbery” under the pretext of what it calls a blockade prompted the decision.

Recall that earlier this week, the US announced the implementation of a naval blockade of the strait.

Meanwhile, despite reopening of the waterway on Friday, President Donald Trump said the US blockade would remain in place “until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete”.

Both countries are holding talks and making efforts to find a way to lasting peace as a ceasefire remains in place.

In a statement on Saturday, an Iranian military spokesman said the US blockade reversed Iran’s decision to reopen the sea passage.

“As a result, control over the Strait of Hormuz has been returned to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is under strict management and control by the Armed Forces,” the spokesman said, according to the Tasnim news agency.

The spokesman added that until the US lifted restrictions on the to and fro movement of vessels from Iran to their destinations and from elsewhere to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain under close watch and tightly controlled adding that the reopening earlier announced has been reversed.