Sudani: Iraq is no longer a battleground... a new partnership with Washington and billions of dollars in investment.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani published an article in the American magazine Newsweek on April 17, in which he reviewed the most prominent features of the political and economic stage in Iraq, and the government’s vision to enhance internal stability and redefine international relations, especially with the United States.
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Al-Sudani stressed that the election result represented a popular mandate for a difficult but necessary path to maintain Iraq’s stability in light of a very dangerous regional phase, and to build stronger institutional foundations and long-term economic renewal.
He noted that over the past two and a half years, and during three waves of regional escalation, his government had managed to keep Iraq out of the war, protect international personnel on its territory, and maintain the cohesion of the state.
He explained that the government brought companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and GE Vernova back to Iraq through new commitments in the energy sector worth billions of dollars, in addition to attracting more than $100 billion in investments.
He explained that the current moment is the most appropriate to redefine Iraq’s relationship with the United States, noting that Iraq has always been viewed in Washington through the lens of crises, war and terrorism, while today it is a country that has proven its ability to withstand enormous pressure.
Al-Sudani spoke about the challenges his government has faced since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, stressing that the goal was to prevent Iraq from being dragged into a conflict that was not of its choice, despite increasing pressure and escalation from multiple parties.
He added that the government has acted through direct engagement, issuing security directives and continuous political management to prevent Iraqi territory from becoming an open arena for regional war, while maintaining a firm objective of containing escalation and protecting stability.
He stressed that this position represents an exercise of sovereignty, noting that Iraq is more aware than others of the cost of becoming an arena for settling scores between others.
On the security front, he pointed out that the Popular Mobilization Forces were formed in response to the threat of ISIS, and that the government strengthened oversight and directed resources through official institutions, while refusing to turn exceptional arrangements into permanent alternatives to the state.
On the economic front, he affirmed that Iraq has rebuilt its economic position, with the return of major companies to develop oil fields and energy projects, in addition to the implementation of strategic projects such as the Total Energies and Qatar Energy project in Basra.
He stressed that Iraq has become more competitive and more attractive for investment, thanks to improved contractual terms, restored confidence, and the creation of a favorable environment for long-term investment.
He explained that Iraq possesses the fifth largest oil reserves in the world and is located in an important strategic location, which calls for dealing with it as a strategic opportunity in American policy.
He also stressed that Iraq’s partnerships will remain diverse, with continued cooperation with China alongside the United States, Europe, Turkey and the Gulf States, noting that Iraq’s geographical location and balanced relationships represent a strategic strength.
He touched on the development road project, which will make Iraq an important trade corridor and a bridge for trade, energy and diplomacy, instead of being an arena for conflict.
Al-Sudani called on the United States to adopt a more mature strategic framework towards Iraq, especially in the economic field, while protecting and encouraging American investments.
He also stressed the importance of developing the security sector, enhancing intelligence cooperation, and combating terrorism, in order to support the state’s long-term capabilities.
He concluded by emphasizing that Iraq is working to strengthen its institutions, diversify its economy, and resolve the relationship between the state and armed groups in favor of the state, noting that what Iraq is proposing is based on partnership, interests, and mutual respect, and that the opportunity is available to build a more stable and interconnected future in the region.
This seems to be the full report
By: Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani
Last November, millions of Iraqis went to the polls in a free election, and my coalition managed to achieve the highest number of votes among all the lists.
This achievement was not just an electoral victory, but a clear popular mandate for a difficult but necessary path: maintaining Iraq’s stability in a highly dangerous regional phase, in parallel with building stronger institutional foundations, and launching a long-term economic recovery process.
However, elections alone do not define governments; actions are the true measure. Over the past two and a half years, and through three waves of regional escalation, my government has succeeded in keeping Iraq out of the throes of war, protecting international personnel on its soil, and maintaining the cohesion of the state in circumstances that have severely tested all its institutions.
At the same time, we were able to bring major companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, and GE Vernova back to Iraq, through billions of dollars in investment commitments in the energy sector, as well as attracting investments exceeding $100 billion. This record forms the basis of what I am presenting today.
Hence, the present moment is an opportune time to redefine the relationship between Iraq and the United States.
Iraq has always been viewed in Washington through the lens of crises: wars, terrorism, violence by armed groups, and regional conflicts.
It is true that these events are part of our modern history, and some of them still cast a shadow on our present, but they no longer represent the whole picture.
Iraq today is not just a country that is managed when crises intensify, but a country that has proven its ability to withstand enormous pressure, and has come to possess strategic, economic and political value that deserves deeper recognition by the United States.
Since October 2023, with the outbreak of war in Gaza and the subsequent wave of regional escalation, my government has faced a pivotal challenge: preventing Iraq from sliding into a conflict it did not choose.
This required not just restraint, but complex crisis management; the country witnessed attacks by armed groups on American military sites launched from Iraqi territory, an exchange of fire between regional powers, along with widespread public anger and multiple pressures towards escalation.
Under such circumstances, it would have been easy to slide into disintegration, collapse, and a proxy war. But that did not happen.
My government acted through direct engagement, security directives, and sustained political management to prevent Iraq from becoming an open arena for regional warfare. When the confrontation between Israel and Iran escalated in June 2015, Iraq affirmed that its territory and airspace would not be used to launch attacks against neighboring countries.
With the renewed escalation during Operation "Rage" in early 2026, the pressures intensified, as missiles targeted Gulf capitals, diplomatic missions and American interests were attacked, while armed factions called for Iraq to enter the war.
However, our goal remained constant: to contain the escalation, protect Iraq’s stability, and prevent it from being drawn into a wider regional confrontation.
This stance was not passive, nor was it a lack of danger, but rather an expression of exercising sovereignty in the face of forces that sought to drag Iraq into a wider war.
Iraq, perhaps more than any other country in the region, understands the cost of becoming an arena for conflict based on the calculations of others.
Our mission was to protect the people, preserve state institutions, and prevent the country from sliding into a wider confrontation that would threaten our stability and the interests of our partners, foremost among them the United States.
This does not mean that the security challenges have ended. The Popular Mobilization Forces were formed in response to the threat of ISIS, and are associated in the minds of many Iraqis with real sacrifices at a critical moment.
But no serious state can accept the continued existence of multiple centers of security decision-making. The strategic objective must be clear: a sovereign security system in which decisions regarding war, peace, and the use of force rest exclusively with the state.
My government has approached this issue realistically, not with illusions. We have strengthened oversight, channeled resources through official institutions, and refused to allow exceptional measures to become permanent substitutes for the state. While progress has not been uniform, and work continues, the path forward is clear: strengthening institutions, consolidating the rule of law, and building a cohesive national leadership structure. This approach should be of interest to every international partner genuinely committed to Iraq's success.
On the economic front, Iraq has witnessed tangible progress. ExxonMobil has returned to develop the giant Majnoon field, Chevron signed a management agreement for the West Qurna 2 field, BP activated a major contract in Kirkuk, while GE Vernova committed to adding 24,000 megawatts of electrical capacity.
Total Energy and Qatar Energy are also proceeding with a $27 billion integrated project in Basra that includes gas, solar power and seawater treatment.
These are not merely symbolic initiatives; they reflect a deeper transformation: Iraq has become more competitive, more attractive to investment, and more strategically important. Companies don't return to a market of this size out of courtesy, but when they see improved stability and genuine partnership.
This is what Washington must realize. A country that possesses the world's fifth-largest proven oil reserves, and is located in a pivotal geographical position linking future trade routes, should not be treated as a secondary issue, but as a strategic opportunity.
Iraq will maintain a diverse range of partnerships. China is an important economic partner, but Iraq's future cannot depend on a single entity. Our interests require diversifying our relationships with the United States, Britain, Europe, Turkey, the Gulf States, and our regional neighbors. This is not a superficial balancing act, but a necessity dictated by Iraq's location and nature.
This also applies to Iraq's regional role. It is rare to find a country that maintains balanced relations with Washington, Tehran, Riyadh, Ankara, and the Gulf states simultaneously. This diversity is one of Iraq's strengths, enabling it to serve as a bridge for communication, not an arena for conflict.
Hence the importance of projects like the "Development Road," which connects the Grand Faw Port to Turkey and onward to Europe, positioning Iraq as a vital trade corridor. This project is not merely infrastructure; it is a vision for transforming Iraq into a hub for trade, energy, and diplomacy.
Therefore, the United States should approach this stage with a more mature strategic vision:
First, economically, by supporting and expanding American investments, particularly in energy and infrastructure.
Second, institutionally, by building a structured dialogue to develop the security sector beyond temporary crisis management.
Third, strategically, by developing more sustainable and professional intelligence cooperation and counterterrorism efforts.
Iraq today does not ask to be viewed through the lens of the past or fear, but rather to be seen as it is: a country that has held competitive elections, maintained a pluralistic political system, rebuilt devastated cities, and worked to avoid sliding into regional conflicts.
Challenges remain, yes. But that shouldn't obscure what has been achieved, or what Iraq can offer.
What Iraq is offering Washington is not subservience, nor alignment at any cost, but a partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect, with a sovereign state that has proven its resilience and seeks to build a more stable and interconnected future.
The opportunity is real.
The door is open.
And the region won't wait.
Moody's credit rating agency: Iraq's credit situation is negative and high risk.
On Friday (April 17, 2026), Moody's credit rating agency revised its outlook for Iraq from "stable" to "negative," citing risks to the country's creditworthiness as a result of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Moody's said, "Iraq's heavy reliance on the oil sector means that any disruption to exports through the Strait of Hormuz—which account for about 90 percent of Iraq's crude oil exports—will lead to a significant decrease in dollar inflows and fiscal revenues."
Last month, energy officials in the country reported that production at key oil fields in southern Iraq, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), had fallen by about 80 percent due to the US-Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil stockpiles to critical levels.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz had been opened following the ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon, while US President Donald Trump said he believed an agreement to end the Iran war would be reached "soon," although the timing remained unclear.
Four energy industry sources told Reuters that Iraq resumed oil exports from the south of the country on Friday after a halt of more than a month.
Moody's added in its report, "Even if the ceasefire holds, we expect it will take some time before oil traffic through the strait returns to normal."
The agency maintained Iraq's rating at "Caa1".
The IMF and World Bank announce the resumption of relations with Venezuela.
In a pivotal move that strengthens the international legitimacy of the current government in Caracas, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank announced on Thursday the resumption of their official relations with Venezuela, paving the way for broad financial and technical cooperation after a years-long rift.
Within hours of the announcement, the Venezuelan government confirmed the restoration of communication channels that had been frozen with the two international financial institutions since 2019.
In an official statement, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, explained that the decision was "guided by the views of the Fund's members who represent a majority of the voting power," confirming that the Fund will henceforth deal with the Venezuelan government headed by interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
For its part, the World Bank followed the IMF's lead, announcing its official recognition of the Rodríguez government and the resumption of all dealings with it. This shift aims to enable both institutions to begin collecting official economic data, providing technical advice, and potentially offering direct financial support should Caracas request it.
In her first official comment, Delcy Rodríguez welcomed the move, saying in an interview on state television, "We are restoring Venezuela's legitimate rights within these international organizations." The IMF had conducted a survey among its members in recent days to gauge their stance on the legitimacy of Rodríguez's leadership before making its final decision.
This return comes after a long hiatus; relations had officially broken off in March 2019, when the IMF recognized the opposition that controlled parliament as the legitimate government of the country.
It is worth noting that the financial and economic gap between Venezuela and international institutions dates back to years before the recent political crisis; the last official assessment of the Venezuelan economy by the IMF dates back to 2004, while Caracas fully repaid its debts to the World Bank in 2007, before the relationship entered a prolonged period of stagnation.
Ships test the Strait of Hormuz after it was reopened and request clarifications regarding their safety.
Ship tracking data showed that a group of vessels failed to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening, while shipping companies cautiously welcomed Iran's announcement that the strait had been reopened.
Iranian officials said today that the strait is open to all commercial vessels for the duration of the ten-day ceasefire in Lebanon, which led to a drop in commodity prices and a rise in stock markets.
Marine Traffic data indicated that approximately 20 ships began sailing towards the Strait of Hormuz this evening, but quickly stopped and some returned to their ports of origin. This is the largest group of ships attempting to transit the strait since Iran effectively closed it in response to US and Israeli airstrikes that began on February 28.
The reason for the ships' retreat remains unclear. The group included three container ships belonging to the French shipping group CMA CGM, which declined to comment.
By 2100 GMT yesterday, most of the ships in the group had turned back, but tracking data showed several new vessels, mostly oil tankers, heading towards the strait.
Shipping companies cautiously welcomed Iran's announcement that it was opening the Strait of Hormuz, but said they would need clarification on matters including the risks posed by mines, before ships could move through the point of entry into the Gulf.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that all commercial vessels can sail through the Strait of Hormuz, but must coordinate with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the United Nations' International Maritime Organization, said, "We are currently verifying the latest announcement regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all commercial vessels and safe passage."
The Norwegian Shipowners Association said several factors need to be clarified before any crossing of the Strait of Hormuz can be assessed, including the presence of sea mines, Iranian conditions, and the practical aspects of implementation.
Knut Arild Haraideh, chief executive of the association representing 130 companies that own about 1,500 ships, said, "If this represents a step towards opening up, it is a welcome development."
The Baltic Council and the International Maritime Council warned their members against a hasty return to the straits, citing the uncertainty surrounding the mine threat. A statement from the U.S. Navy, seen by Reuters, also warned of the mine risk.
The German shipping group Hapag-Lloyd stated that it is working to enable its ships to cross the strait "as quickly as possible," but clarified that a number of questions remain.
Danish shipping company Maersk said it is closely monitoring the security situation and will take necessary measures based on its risk assessment. Norwegian tanker group Frontline declined to comment.
Matt Wright, senior shipping analyst at data analytics firm Kpler, said it was not yet certain which sea routes ships could take to get out of the Gulf.
He added that the route recently imposed by Tehran through its territorial waters near Larak Island will pose navigational challenges even if ships are not required to pay transit fees, and will raise questions about compliance and insurance.
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Ship convoys begin crossing the Strait of Hormuz after Iran announces its reopening
Reuters reported on Saturday that the first ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz after Iran announced its reopening.
The agency quoted maritime data as saying, "A convoy of oil tankers was spotted leaving the Gulf and crossing the Strait of Hormuz."
Reports from the ship-tracking website MarineTraffic stated that "at least six ships, including oil tankers and cargo ships, crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since Iran officially announced its reopening yesterday, following the implementation of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel." The report added that "a number of gas tankers also began passing through from the Iranian side of the strait."
An Indian oil tanker carrying two million barrels of Iraqi oil was fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz.
Maritime sources reported on Saturday (April 18, 2026) that at least two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz reported being fired upon while sailing.
The website "TankerTrackers" said that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy forced two Indian ships to return out of the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the incident involved gunfire.
The website added that "one of the two ships is a giant oil tanker flying the Indian flag and carrying about two million barrels of Iraqi oil."
For its part, the British Maritime Operations Authority reported that two boats belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired on the tanker and the ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
Officially, the Revolutionary Guard announces the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Revolutionary Guard announced on Saturday the official closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Guard said in a press statement: The Strait of Hormuz will be closed starting this afternoon until the US naval blockade is lifted.
This comes as the military spokesman for the Iranian “Khatam al-Anbiya” headquarters announced earlier today the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as was the case during the 40-day military conflict in the region .
The spokesman stressed that the strait would remain under the control of the armed forces and under strict surveillance, noting that the continuation of this situation depended on the United States not committing to guaranteeing the freedom of movement of ships to and from Iran.
The US military announces a complete halt to maritime trade to and from Iran.
The US Central Command announced on Saturday evening that maritime trade with Iran has been completely halted.
The command said in a statement: "The guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney ( DDG 91 ) is patrolling territorial waters in support of blockade operations."
She added, "The blockade has brought economic trade to and from Iran by sea to a complete halt."
This comes in conjunction with the announcement by the military spokesman for the Iranian "Khatam al-Anbiya" headquarters earlier today, of the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz as it was during the military conflict that the region witnessed for 40 days .
The spokesman stressed that the strait would remain under the control of the armed forces and under strict surveillance, noting that the continuation of this situation depended on the United States not committing to guaranteeing the freedom of movement of ships to and from Iran.
Source: The coordination framework meeting regarding the prime minister candidate has been postponed to Monday.
An informed source reported on Saturday that the coordination framework meeting has been postponed until next Monday.
The source told Roj News that “the coordination framework decided to postpone its meeting, which was supposed to be held today, until next Monday.”
This final meeting is supposed to witness the naming of the candidate, based on the equation that was imposed within the framework, which is that the candidate obtains 8 votes out of 12 votes, which is the number of members of the framework.
This equation, until yesterday, has not been achieved for any of the prominent candidates, especially Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, amid news that al-Maliki is close to obtaining 8 votes, which will go to the candidate he personally nominates, Basim al-Badri, according to informed sources.
During the past week, Al-Badri was put forward as a compromise candidate, with direct support from Al-Maliki, given Al-Maliki’s insistence on the position. He is still the official framework candidate for the position and his nomination has not been withdrawn.
Political and security matters: Qaani in Baghdad to discuss "sensitive" issues.
Informed sources revealed that the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Ismail Qaani, arrived in the capital, Baghdad, to discuss the repercussions of the war in the Middle East and to meet with officials and leaders of armed factions.
Sources told Roj News that “Qaani will discuss the political deadlock crisis regarding the nomination of a candidate for prime minister, after Nouri al-Maliki’s chances of returning to the position have diminished.”
Qaani began “holding a series of meetings with leaders of political forces and a number of leaders of armed factions,” according to a high-ranking official, who confirmed that “the meetings address the issue of regional de-escalation and its repercussions on the Iraqi scene.”
He added that the Iranian delegation also seeks “to coordinate positions among Tehran’s allies within Iraq, and to ensure that the situation does not slide towards a security escalation” in Iraq and the region.
On the security front, Qaani discussed with the leaders of the armed factions their situation after the recent war, especially the strikes that targeted their positions, in addition to their future on the security and political levels.
On the political front, Qaani held meetings with leaders of the Coordination Framework, coinciding with news of the postponement of the Coordination Framework meeting, which was supposed to be decisive in naming the candidate for prime minister.
Qaani leads the Quds Force, the branch of the Revolutionary Guard responsible for foreign operations. He has visited Iraq repeatedly since assuming command following the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport in January 2020.
The commander of the Quds Corps investigates the threats of war and political conflict in Baghdad
Former commander of the Quds Corps in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Ismail Qaani
Discuss the “political crisis” in the nomination of the head of the Iraqi government.
Baghdad has struggled for many years to achieve balance in its relations with its political enemies, Iran and the United States.
But I salute Iraq from the effects of the war that lasted more than 40 days. In the meantime, the headquarters of the Iraqi People's Army and the Iraqi armed forces presented the incursions belonging to the United Nations and Israel, in which the US interests operated in the presence of the Iraqi armed forces. Tehran's attacks on Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the north of the country.
Qaani also began by “contracting a series of talks with a strong political leader and a number of armed forces leaders”, according to Iraqi official Rifi al-Mastowi, during which the “contacts were interrupted The Regional Threat File and its Reflections on the Iraqi Sphere”.
The Iranian delegation also visited Tehran to coordinate positions between the Khalifa forces and Iraq.
During the visit, he visited a source in the Iranian armed forces, including sources close to the Coordination Plan coalition, which forms the largest faction in parliament Shiite parties near Tehran.
end
The United States renews a temporary exemption from sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil.
The administration of US President Donald Trump renewed the waiver that allows countries to purchase Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded at sea for about a month, two days after announcing that it did not plan to renew this sanctions exemption.
The Treasury Department posted the authorization on its website late Friday, allowing countries to purchase Russian oil already loaded onto ships for the period from April 17 to May 16.
The waiver comes as part of the US administration's efforts to curb global energy prices, which have risen sharply during the US-Israeli war on Iran, and replaces a 30-day waiver that expired on April 11. The waiver excludes any transactions involving Iran, Cuba, or North Korea.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that Washington would not renew the waiver for Russian oil or another waiver for Iranian oil, which is set to expire on Sunday.
Bisent stated last month that the waiver for Iranian oil, issued by the Treasury Department on March 20, allowed approximately 140 million barrels of oil to reach global markets and helped ease pressure on energy supplies during the war.
US lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties criticized the administration, saying the sanctions waivers would bolster Iran's economy amid its war with the United States, as well as Russia's economy amid its war with Ukraine.
Brett Erickson, a sanctions expert at the consulting firm Obsidian Risk Advisors, said the renewal would likely not be the last waiver issued by Washington.
He added, "The conflict has caused ongoing damage to global energy markets, and the tools available to stabilize them have been almost exhausted."
Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev had said that the first exemption would unleash 100 million barrels of Russian crude oil, roughly equivalent to the world's production for one day.
The lifting of sanctions may temporarily boost global oil supplies, but it has not prevented oil prices from rising due to Iran’s partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies passed before the war.
Trump holds a meeting in the Situation Room, and a return to bombing operations is likely.
US President Donald Trump held a meeting in the White House Situation Room on Saturday morning to discuss the renewed crisis over the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran, according to US officials.
This comes at a critical time, as the truce is expected to end in three days, and no date has been set for a new meeting between US and Iranian negotiators.
Iran’s announcement on Saturday that it would re-close the Strait of Hormuz, along with multiple attacks on ships in the waterway, came less than 24 hours after Trump said a deal to end the war could be reached “within a day or two.” A senior US official said that if there is no breakthrough soon, the war could resume in the coming days.
The Situation Room meeting was attended by Vice President JD Vance – who is expected to participate in the next round of negotiations with Iran – Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bisent, White House Chief of Staff Suzy Wells, White House envoy Steve Witkopf, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Keane.
In a related development, Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir held mediation talks between the United States and Iran in Tehran this week, and US officials said Trump spoke by phone at least once with Munir and the Iranians.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council also reported on Saturday that the United States had made new proposals during the talks, and that Iran was studying them but had not yet responded.
According to a source familiar with the details of the talks, the renewed crisis in Hormuz arose after the two sides made progress in narrowing the gaps regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment and its stockpile of enriched uranium.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran “has become a bit cunning…wanted to close the Strait again,” adding later that the country “cannot blackmail us.”
Trump indicated that the United States is still talking to Iran, and that he will know by the end of the day whether the parties will move forward with a deal.
The US military announces a complete halt to maritime trade to and from Iran.
The US Central Command announced on Saturday evening that maritime trade with Iran has been completely halted.
The command said in a statement: "The guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney ( DDG 91 ) is patrolling territorial waters in support of blockade operations."
She added, "The blockade has brought economic trade to and from Iran by sea to a complete halt."
This comes in conjunction with the announcement by the military spokesman for the Iranian "Khatam al-Anbiya" headquarters earlier today, of the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz as it was during the military conflict that the region witnessed for 40 days .
The spokesman stressed that the strait would remain under the control of the armed forces and under strict surveillance, noting that the continuation of this situation depended on the United States not committing to guaranteeing the freedom of movement of ships to and from Iran.
