Saeed Khatibzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, stated at the Antalya meeting that commercial crossings through the Strait of Hormuz were to be facilitated following a Lebanon ceasefire agreement, but the U.S. disrupted this process.
On April 28, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty interviewed Ryan Kirkley, CEO of Global Settlement Network, discussing the global economic significance of the Strait of Hormuz, market dynamics, and potential oil price changes following the announcement of its reopening.
The British Ambassador to the United States announced that Britain will have significant military involvement in an international mission, led by Britain and France, to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This mission will commence following the conclusion of the war with the Islamic Republic.
Masoud Pezeshkian, an Iranian official, stated during an interview with Arash Azermi of Iran International that Iranians must accept the consequences and hardships of war as they stand and fight against the economic crisis and suppression.
On April 17, U.S. Army Soldiers flew AH-64 Apache helicopters above and around the Strait of Hormuz to provide a visible presence and support freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.
Iranian small gunboats are engaging tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, firing upon them as they approach.
Two commercial ships were reportedly fired upon while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz; the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations stated that two boats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps opened machine gun fire on an Indian supertanker near the coast of Oman, which was carrying around two million barrels of Iraqi oil.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, forcing commercial vessels, including oil tankers from India, to alter their courses after warnings from both the IRGC Navy and the U.S. Navy. Only a few ships have managed to navigate through the strait by entering Iran's territorial waters.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker was targeted by two armed boats linked to the IRGC Quds Force, 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman; the tanker's captain stated the boats opened fire without warning, but the vessel and crew are safe.
The Iranian navy is broadcasting over radio that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to shipping traffic.
BREAKING: The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed after an oil tanker was confronted by two IRGC Navy gunboats, which opened fire when the tanker refused to change course. The U.S. Navy is maintaining a naval blockade of Iran in response.
U.S. President Trump's actions have put pressure on Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the new U.S.-supported leader of Iran, leading the IRGC to attempt to cancel scheduled negotiations between the United States and Iran, set to take place in Islamabad on the upcoming Monday.
On April 29, Mojtaba Khamenei, the third leader of the Islamic Republic, issued a message on Army Day stating that the Iranian army is defending the country alongside other armed forces and emphasizing the need to rapidly increase the institution's capabilities in all areas.
Reuters, citing maritime sources, reported that gunfire was heard after at least two ships attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the Islamic Republic canceled the short-term reopening of the strait and accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz has been closed once more, according to a Twitter post. The poster suggests that former U.S. President Trump's statements may have contributed to internal conflict within the Iranian regime between the clerical leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Two Indian vessels, including a large tanker carrying Iraqi oil, were forced to alter course and retreat west after being fired upon by IRGC forces in the Strait of Hormuz. Later, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced that control of the strait had returned to IRGC management.
Mojtaba Khamenei, in a message published by Iranian media outlets on the occasion of the Day of the Islamic Republic's Army, threatened that the army's drones and navy are prepared to strike American and Israeli targets.
Investors placed bets totaling approximately $760 million on a decline in oil prices just minutes before the Islamic Republic announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; the strait was subsequently closed again, causing oil prices to drop by up to 11 percent.
Mahmoud Nabavian, a member of Iran's Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated in Arak on April 28 that Iran will continue its conflict with the U.S. and Israel until their "complete defeat" and declared that Iran will prevent U.S. military ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a resolution from the National Security Commission.
The Strait of Hormuz was closed again less than 24 hours after reopening, reportedly causing widespread animosity towards the decision from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The tweet also mentions support from the leader's fanbase.
