Hormuz returns to standstill: Maritime firm
The disruption comes less than 24 hours after a brief reopening
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a halt after Iranian forces opened fire on several vessels today (19 April), according to maritime intelligence firm Lloyd's List, reports Al Jazeera.
There was a brief surge in movement earlier in the day, but shipping activity returned to a standstill by evening following radio warnings that the strait was once again under "strict management and control" of the Iranian armed forces.
While a small number of vessels managed to transit the waterway before the latest incidents, most shipowners with vessels in the Gulf region began returning them to previous positions.
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At least two Indian-flagged merchant ships, including the very large crude carrier Sanmar Herald, were reportedly struck by gunfire while attempting to pass through the strait.
In a separate incident, a container ship sustained damage to cargo after being hit by an "unknown projectile" off the coast of Oman. UK Maritime Trade Operations said there were no reports of fire.
The disruption comes less than 24 hours after a brief reopening. Iranian state media cited the failure of the United States to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports as the reason for the renewed closure.
On Friday evening, Iran's foreign minister had declared the strait fully open, prompting a drop in oil prices and a rush of tankers attempting to exit the region. Shortly afterwards, US President Donald Trump also said the route was open, but warned that a blockade on Iranian shipping would remain.
Iran rejected the move, and by Saturday the strait was effectively closed again. Iranian authorities accused the US of violating a ceasefire through its continued naval restrictions and said "strict control" would remain in place until access to Iranian ports is restored.
