April 17: Iran sets new maritime rules for Strait of Hormuz as Lebanon truce takes effect

​​​​​​By Press TV Website Staff

On Day 49 of the US-Israeli war on Iran and the resistance axis, Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, outlining strict new regulations, just hours after a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon.

The IRGC Navy declared a “new order” governing all maritime movement in the strategic waterway, asserting full Iranian oversight after the failure of Washington’s attempted naval blockade.

Press TV revealed new details of last week’s confrontation in the strategic waterway between the IRGC Navy and the US military, confirming that more than a dozen cruise missiles had been locked onto US destroyers before they retreated hastily.

Meanwhile, three Iranian oil tankers carrying five million barrels of oil became the first to exit the Persian Gulf since the "blockade" threat began.

Iranian leadership warned that any renewed US or Israeli aggression would be met with a decisive, “regret-inducing” response, even as diplomatic momentum continues to build.

Senior military commanders said the country’s strength had forced its adversaries to yield, while Pakistan reported that an Iran-US peace agreement was now “over 80 percent” complete and likely to advance over the weekend.

Oil prices dropped sharply following Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open during the ceasefire, as regional and international reactions, from mass rallies in Yemen to European calls for action against Israel, reflected a shifting balance in Iran’s favour.

Key developments on day 49 of the war, tenth day of the ceasefire:

• Following the implementation of a ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran announced the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels and declared that the route would be designated by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy.
• IRGC Navy said a "new order" is now in place over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, outlining strict new regulations for all maritime traffic.
• Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Amir Hatami said the country is fully prepared with “iron will” to confront any threats and aggression against the Islamic Republic.
• IRGC said it stands ready alongside the Army to deliver a “regret-inducing” response to the US and Israeli regime if they renew their criminal act of aggression against the country.
• Iranian presidential office denounced US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, which sought to downplay Iran's recent triumphs against US and Israeli aggression, warning that any failure by the US to honour its commitments will be met with severe consequences.
• Major General Ali Abdollahi, Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the country’s enemies and ill-wishers, particularly the United States and the Israeli regime, have no option but to yield to the greatness and strength of the Iranian Armed Forces and resilient nation.
• Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said Iranian forces successfully prevented US and Israeli aircraft carrier strike groups and marine forces from entering the Sea of Oman.
• In new details of the April 11 operation in the Strait of Hormuz, Press TV learned that the IRGC Navy had locked more than a dozen cruise missiles onto aggressive US warships moments before they hastily retreated. After the American warships – the USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and the USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121)- failed to heed initial warnings from Iranian naval forces, the IRGC Navy launched 16 cruise missiles onto the vessels.
• Three Iranian oil tankers carrying a combined five million barrels of crude oil became the first loaded vessels to leave the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz since the US-imposed "blockade" came into effect earlier this week.
• Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz must strictly follow routes designated by Tehran and operate under full Iranian coordination.
• Yemen witnessed another massive million-man march in solidarity with the Axis of Resistance, a day after the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon.
• In an interview with Bloomberg News, Trump said peace talks with Iran will “likely” be held this weekend. He said an agreement to end the war is “near.”
• Oil prices dropped sharply after Iran's foreign minister said that the Strait of Hormuz would be open for commercial transit during the remainder of the ceasefire, albeit the route would be regulated by the Iranian armed forces.
• Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said the Iran-US peace agreement is “more than 80 percent” complete and the country wants to see a permanent end to the war.
• A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives backed a proposal calling on the Netherlands’ government to push for the suspension of the trade component of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at the bloc over the regime's crimes against Palestinians.

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