“If the blockade continues, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” Ghalibaf wrote on Platform X, adding that ship transit through the strait would take place with the consent of Iranian authorities and through a “designated route.”
Iranian authorities announced earlier on Friday the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial ships for the duration of the truce with the US and Israel. US President Donald Trump confirmed the opening of the strait, but also announced the maintenance of the blockade of Iranian ports until a final agreement with that country is reached.
Hormuz is a key sea route for exporting raw materials from the Persian Gulf region. Under normal conditions, 20% of the water flows through this route. oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) consumed in the world.
Consequences of closing the Strait of Hormuz
The suspension of traffic through Hormuz resulted in an increase in gas and oil prices on world markets. The price of a barrel of Brent oil before the war was approximately $70, and in March it increased to nearly $120. On Friday, it was close to $100, and after Iran announced the opening of Hormuz, it dropped below $90.
Despite the announcement of the opening of the strait, the Kpler company assessed on Friday that it still remains “virtually closed” and most shipowners are afraid of the crossing due to possible mines. Additionally, according to the Wall Street Journal, Iran has informed mediators that it will continue to limit the number of ships that can pass through Hormuz and charge transit fees for the remaining ceasefire period.
On February 28, the United States and Israel attacked Iran, which responded by attacking the Persian Gulf countries. He also virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only selected vessels to pass through and blocking hundreds of others. Authorities in Tehran announced that they would charge a fee for crossing the strait.
There has been a truce in the war since April 8, which is currently scheduled to last until April 22. At the beginning of the week, the US announced a blockade of Iranian ports, which was intended to hit the Iranian economy and encourage Tehran to conclude an agreement.
