Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz under truce terms reached with the United States but will strictly limit daily transits to no more than 15 vessels, according to a report.
On the 9th (local time), Russia’s TASS news agency quoted a senior Iranian source who said, “Under the truce agreement with the United States, we will allow no more than 15 ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz per day.” The source added that all vessel movements will be conditionally permitted only with approval from Iranian authorities and adherence to specific protocols.
The protocols appear to center on an alternative transit corridor disclosed the previous day and on placing control under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The proposed route runs close to Iran’s Larak Island, which hosts military facilities, rather than the traditional channel that lies mostly in Omani waters. Iranian media-published charts marked the old route as a “danger zone.”
Iran’s government has reportedly already informed key regional governments of the new operating procedures.
The Strait of Hormuz, roughly 34 kilometers wide between Iran and Oman, is a strategic chokepoint that handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil exports. It is also a vital corridor for essential commodities, including fertilizer, bound for the Indian Ocean.
Since fighting broke out at the end of February, Iran had effectively sealed the strait, a move that drove international oil prices higher.
Analysts say the restriction looks aimed at maximizing Tehran’s leverage ahead of scheduled ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan.
Tehran has insisted Lebanon be included in any truce because of Israel’s continued strikes targeting Hezbollah there. The United States and Israel, however, have rejected including Lebanon and say they will continue operations since Lebanon is not covered by the agreement.
Most Commented