WANA (Apr 09) – The first day of developments in the Strait of Hormuz following a ceasefire—now claimed by Iran to have been violated—was marked by heavy news flow but limited maritime traffic.

 

Minutes ago, the first full day, according to Iran’s official time, since the  of Iran’s proposed 10-point plan by  U.S. President Donald Trump and the announcement of a ceasefire, came to an end.

 

One of the key provisions of the so-called 10-point plan is the continuation of Iran’s “smart management” of the Strait of Hormuz—an issue that had repeatedly been described by the United States as a red line. However, Trump reportedly agreed to leave control of the strait in Iran’s hands.

 

Despite a relatively quiet day in terms of vessel movement in the strategic waters of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz remained a focal point of global attention.

 

In the early hours of the day, two oil tankers—now confirmed to be Iranian-owned—successfully passed through the strait. Additionally, a tanker belonging to China’s fleet also navigated the passage safely.

 

While observers awaited further tanker movements, reports of a large-scale Israeli attack on Lebanon shifted the course of events.

An Iranian Army helicopter crew member is seen during a joint naval military drill between Iran, Russia, and China in the Gulf of Oman, Iran March 15, 2023. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

An Iranian Army helicopter crew member is seen during a joint naval military drill between Iran, Russia, and China in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, March 15, 2023. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Shortly after the reported attack, all maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz came to a halt. Iran declared the strike on Lebanon a clear violation of the terms that were intended to serve as the basis for negotiations, a framework that had been publicly announced by Pakistan’s prime minister.

 

Notably, a vessel scheduled to transit the strait at 10:00 PM Tehran time altered its course near the entrance and was forced to turn back.

 

The number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz remained at just three, compared to up to 17 tankers that had transited the strait with Iran’s authorization the previous week. This development also halted the downward trend in oil prices, which surged within minutes to $95 per barrel.

 

Meanwhile, journalists questioned the White House spokesperson about who currently controls the Strait of Hormuz. No response was provided.

Members of the Iranian Army take part in an annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, in this picture obtained on December 30, 2022. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)