Key facts
- The Strait of Hormuz has seen an uneasy calm since a US-Iran ceasefire agreement.
- Fishermen have returned to the waters around Bandar Abbas after weeks of dangerous conditions.
- Two container ships seized by Iran in April remain in view, despite the ceasefire.
- An apartment block in Bandar Abbas was destroyed by an Israeli strike on March 26.
- The mayor of Bandar Abbas stated Iran would close the strait if the ceasefire breaks down.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane, is experiencing an uneasy calm following a US-Iran ceasefire agreement. BBC journalists visited Bandar Abbas, Iran, to observe the aftermath of recent conflict. Fishermen have returned to the waters, but evidence of the war remains, including seized ships and a destroyed apartment block.
During the conflict, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) fired on commercial ships, and the US retaliated with a blockade. This made the waterway dangerous for months, stranding seafarers and causing oil prices to surge. Weeks after the partial reopening of the strait, the sea is calm, and fishermen are returning to their work.
Two container ships, the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas, seized by the IRGC in April, were visible during a trip through the strait. Dozens of other cargo ships were seen offshore, awaiting permission to pass. The strategic importance of Bandar Abbas, home to Iran's Navy and the IRGC's naval arm, remains high, with approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments passing through the strait in peacetime.
Despite threats from US President Donald Trump, Iran has not fully reopened the strait, using it as leverage in ongoing peace talks. While life is returning to normal in Bandar Abbas, with families and businesses resuming activities, the scars of war are evident. An apartment block on Khushnoodi Street was hit by an Israeli strike on March 26, resulting in casualties and significant destruction. The strike, reportedly targeting IRGC Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri, highlights the blurred lines between military and civilian targets in the conflict.
Mayor Mehdi Nobani asserted that neither Israel nor the US achieved their military objectives and that the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader has united Iran. He reiterated that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz if the ceasefire breaks down. Many locals approached by the BBC were reluctant to speak, citing distrust of media portrayals of Iran, but some expressed a desire to be with family during the conflict and noted that Iranians have come together to support each other.