Iran forced two oil tankers to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz, citing retaliation for a US blockade of its ports amid ongoing regional tensions.
ISTANBUL: Iran on Sunday forced two oil tankers to turn back while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the move was in response to the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports.
The ships, operating under the flags of Botswana and Angola, were compelled to change course after an “unauthorised transit” attempt through the key waterway, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
This action follows Iran’s announcement on Saturday that it was tightening control over the strait and warning shipping operators that the key energy corridor had been effectively closed again.
Hostilities in the region escalated after the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb 28, leading Tehran to retaliate with strikes on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.
A two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan has been in effect since April 8, pausing the conflict.
Washington and Tehran held talks in Pakistan last weekend, but those discussions ended without a deal, with Pakistani mediators now seeking to arrange another round of negotiations between the two sides.
