A day after the Iranian government released that it would lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's military said it would again control passage.
On the 18th (local time), according to Iran's state-run IRIB and other outlets, Spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which has unified command over Iran's armed forces, said, "The Strait of Hormuz has returned to its transfer state."
Spokesperson Zolfaghari said, "In negotiations (with the United States), Iran agreed in good faith to 'managed passage' through the Strait of Hormuz for a limited number of oil tankers and cargo ships in line with the agreement," adding, "However, unfortunately, the Americans are once again breaking their promises as they did in the past and are continuing piracy and brigandage at sea under the pretext of so-called 'blockade.'"
He emphasized, "Because of this, the Strait of Hormuz has reverted to its transfer state, and this strategic strait is under the strong management and control of the (Iranian) military."
He warned, "If the United States does not fully lift passage restrictions on ships going to and from Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will be strictly controlled, and the same (blockade) state as transfer will continue."
With the possibility of a second round of talks with the United States growing, the military appears to have reversed the government's policy to maximize bargaining power by increasing unpredictability over the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's biggest bargaining chip.
It is also seen as a response to President Donald Trump unilaterally claiming, even before talks are held, that sensitive agenda items such as the handling of highly enriched uranium and the release of frozen funds have been agreed upon in a way favorable to the United States.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran's parliament, reacted the previous day on X (formerly Twitter) to U.S. pressure that it would continue the maritime blockade despite the Iranian foreign minister's announcement of opening the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "If the blockade continues, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed again."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said on X the previous day, "In step with the Lebanon cease-fire, we will fully allow the navigation of all merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the cease-fire period." He added, "(Merchant ships transiting Hormuz) must follow the 'adjusted route' previously announced by the Iran Ports and Maritime Organization."
After Iran's announcement lifting the blockade, President Trump immediately wrote "Thank you!" (THANK YOU!) on the social platform Truth Social, but soon after wrote on Truth Social, "The Strait of Hormuz is fully open and ready for business and full passage, but until our transaction with Iran is 100% complete, the naval blockade will remain fully in place for Iran only."