ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Sunday 33 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz since Saturday under the authorization and “protection” of its navy, despite an ongoing US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.
According to the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency, the Guard’s navy said the vessels “passed through the strategic waterway with coordination and security protection provided by the Iranian force.”
Iran and the United States have engaged in tit-for-tat maritime measures in the Strait of Hormuz following the war that began in late February. Despite a ceasefire in place since April 8, Tehran has continued to restrict movement through the strategic waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, while reportedly imposing tolls on commercial vessels passing through it.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has continued enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, causing major disruptions to Iran’s economy amid reports of shortages of raw materials across the country. On Saturday, CENTCOM said its forces had redirected 100 commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman as part of the operation.
Amid the tensions, US President Donald Trump said late Saturday that Washington and Tehran are close to reaching an agreement and that the Strait of Hormuz “will be opened,” as diplomatic mediation efforts involving several regional countries intensified following stalled negotiations.
On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is prepared to reassure the international community that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that a deal to end the war with Iran could materialize “today,” while expressing cautious optimism about the negotiations.
“We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today, I wouldn't read too much into it,” Rubio said.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that a draft agreement under discussion could include a 60-day ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and permission for Iran to resume oil exports.