Iran says more than 30 vessels crossed Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said this Sunday (24) that it authorized more than 30 vessels to cross the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours, according to the Fars news agency, linked to the Iranian state.

"In the past 24 hours, 33 ships - including oil tankers, container ships and other commercial vessels - passed through the Strait of Hormuz after obtaining authorization, coordination and security protection from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy," Fars reported, citing the IRGC.

The IRGC's announcement came shortly after a high-ranking Iranian source told CNN that the important sea lane was now open, but said "coordination with the competent Iranian authorities is necessary to ensure a safe crossing."

CNN was unable to independently verify the IRGC's claim, but data from MarineTraffic, a maritime intelligence firm, appears to show several vessels crossing the strait since Saturday, although still at lower numbers than pre-war levels.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said the strait "will be opened" as part of an agreement between Washington and Tehran, but did not explicitly say that shipping would return to the unrestricted pre-war model.

The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported today that the Strait of Hormuz "will not return to its pre-war status", adding that Tehran "continues to emphasize the exercise of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz through various means".

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said earlier today that 240 vessels are currently awaiting permission from Iran to enter the strait.

Understand why the US cannot protect the Strait of Hormuz

Source: CNN