Gunfire, U-Turns and Threats Mark a Chaotic Weekend in Hormuz
Traffic remains disrupted through the critical waterway after Iranian authorities declares it shut to shipping
Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on April 18.
Source: AP Photo
After Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was “completely open,” a tanker stuck in the Persian Gulf immediately lifted anchor and began heading for the narrow waterway.
The ship believed it had permission to cross as part of a deal to get Indian ships out, its owner told Bloomberg, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive information. The vessel was communicating with Indian officials via a WhatsApp group and over email. As the ship neared Iran, it picked up a recorded message saying that the strait was blocked, but its Indian contacts said it was clear to pass. Then, as it got within around 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of the Iranian coast, it was hailed by the Iranian navy and told to turn around.