Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again on April 18, briefly reopening the vital sea lane after the United States refused to lift its blockade of Iranian ports. On Saturday, the Iranian military authorities confirmed that the strait had been restored to what they described as its “previous status,” placing it under strict supervision by the country’s armed forces. The decision came just hours after a short period during which commercial ships were allowed to pass through the strategic waterway. About 20 percent of the world’s exports of oil and liquefied natural gas pass through the strait, which is an important artery for global energy supplies. Its repeated closures have sent shockwaves through maritime traffic and energy markets, reversing previous optimism sparked by a temporary reopening linked to a ceasefire in Lebanon. US President Donald Trump confirmed that a broader peace deal with Iran was “very close”, despite renewed disruption. His comments came after a wave of optimism on Friday, when Tehran briefly reopened the strait following a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. But Washington’s insistence on maintaining the naval blockade on Iranian ports until…
