ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that 23 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday under the authorization of its navy, despite an ongoing US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.
“Over the past 24 hours, 23 ships, including oil tankers, container ships, and other commercial vessels, passed through the Strait of Hormuz after securing permits and under the coordination and security of the IRGC Navy,” the IRGC Navy announced in a statement.
Iran and the United States have engaged in tit-for-tat maritime measures in the Strait of Hormuz following the war that began in late February. Despite a ceasefire in place since April 8, Tehran has continued to restrict movement through the strategic waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, while reportedly imposing tolls on commercial vessels passing through it.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has continued enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, causing major disruptions to Iran’s economy amid reports of a raw materials shortage across the country.
On Wednesday, CENTCOM said its forces had redirected 109 commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman as part of the operation.
US President Trump, following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, said a potential framework agreement with Tehran would require the Strait of Hormuz to reopen immediately and remain outside the control of any single country.
“We'll watch over it, but nobody's going to control it. That's part of the negotiation that we have. They would like to control it. Nobody's going to control it,” Trump said.