The so called ceasefire between US and Iran allegedly brokered by Pakistan is turning into a total farce. While Pakistan is thumping its chest claiming to have saved the world by brokering this ceasefire, the reality is that nothing has changed on ground.
The Strait of Hormuz, which was always open before February 28 strikes by US and Israel on Iran, still remains closed. One thought the purpose of the ceasefire was to reopen this crucial trade route but that is still not happening.
In a statement carried by Iranian media, the Iranian military’s operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, described the ongoing US blockade as “piracy”, saying: “For this reason, control of the strait of Hormuz has reverted to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is under the strict management and control of the armed forces.
“Until the US restores the complete freedom of navigation for vessels from an Iranian origin to a destination, and from a destination back to Iran, the situation in the strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled and in its previous state”, Al-Anbiya added.
Since the ceasefire announcement, there have been a lot of confusing reports about the crucial trade route. With US imposing a blockade on Iranian ports around the strait, the situation has become even more complicated.
Notably, Strait of Hormuz is critical for global oil trade and one of the key conditions of US President Donald Trump for the ceasefire was that Iran will reopen it. Now it seems like the strait will remain closed for the near future. Monday’s negotiations in Islamabad now assume greater significance as the two parties once again come together to find a breakthrough. However, for now, Pakistan should stop patting its back and brokering a ceasefire that never was, and maybe let the adults do the talking.
