In less than 24 hours after Iranian officials announced reopening the Strait of Hormuz, vessel movements through the waterway were halted again.
A series of confrontations involving Iranian gunboats on Saturday, 18 April, ended a brief resumption of traffic when vessels were compelled to return to their previous positions.
At least two vessels were reportedly struck during the incidents.
Among them was the container ship CMA CGM Everglade, which sustained damage to containers after being hit by a projectile. No fire was reported on board, and the crew was reported to be safe. CMA CGM is yet to confirm the attack.
The media adds that the French liner had prepared boxships 15,254-TEU CMA CGM Everglade, 2,592-TEU CMA CGM Manaus, and 3,500-TEU CMA CGM Diamond to exit the strait when the reopening was announced. Seaexplorer data shows that the vessels remain in the Persian Gulf at the time of writing this report.
According to Lloyd's List, the Iranian authorities have imposed a strict policy on ships attempting transit. Reports indicated that Iranian armed forces opened fire on at least three vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after the waterway closed.
The situation escalated further after the US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged container vessel in the Arabian Sea near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, 19 April.
US Central Command stated that the US military ship issued warnings to the crew for six hours and instructed them to evacuate the engine room. After the vessel ignored repeated warnings, the US Marines subsequently boarded the ship and took control.
After the incident, Iran warned of retaliatory action, threatening the renewed ceasefire negotiations planned today, 20 April.
