WANA (Apr 20) – The marine cargo tracking firm, Kpler, has released satellite imagery and footage documenting vessel traffic from Friday noon through Sunday evening. This footage clearly demonstrates that transit through the Strait remained restricted until the brief announcement of a temporary reopening for commercial vessels.

 

Following the news of this temporary opening on Friday afternoon, vessel traffic intensified until Saturday morning. However, after Iran cited American bad faith and announced the re-closure of the Strait on Saturday morning, traffic diminished until the waterway was effectively shut down.

 

Kpler noted that while movements increased early on Saturday, April 18, they have since come to a halt following the prohibition of passage.

 

Following attacks by the Israeli coalition against Iran and the resulting insecurity in the region, vessel transit is now only possible with Iranian permission and authorization. Although Iran briefly enabled the passage of commercial ships on Friday afternoon following the Lebanon ceasefire, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced that the Strait has been placed under strict control due to continued “piracy and theft” under the guise of a naval blockade and ceasefire violations.

 

Following this declaration by the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was completely closed and remains open only to Iranian or Iranian-affiliated vessels.

 

According to official Iranian announcements, passage through the Strait of Hormuz is currently only possible by providing complete vessel information, obtaining a transit certificate in accordance with Iranian wartime regulations, and paying fees associated with security, safety, and environmental protection services along designated Iranian routes.

 

Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran has stated that as long as the enemy intends to disrupt vessel traffic or implement measures such as a naval blockade, it will consider these actions a violation of the ceasefire and will prevent any conditional or limited reopening of the Strait.