Despite the US-Iran ceasefire agreement for two weeks, Iran has not relaxed its control over the Strait of Hormuz. According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran has notified mediators that it will limit daily ship passages to about 12 vessels and charge tolls, aiming to turn the wartime temporary control into a long-term management mechanism. Iranian state media reported that the strait has been fully closed, and all ships must coordinate with the military; oil tankers that do not meet the requirements will be asked to return. Data from S&P shows that on Wednesday, only 4 ships were permitted to pass, compared to over 100 ships per day before the conflict. Mediators revealed that ships must agree on tolls in advance, allowing Iran to create new leverage and revenue sources. This shift has become a normalized arrangement, raising deep concerns among Gulf oil-producing countries and European and Asian consumer nations that rely on the strait. Although the US publicly advocates for free and open passage through the strait, Iran has shown no signs of easing its control, highlighting its determination to use the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic lever. Whether this escalation will follow depends on the US's tolerance threshold for Iran's behavior during the ceasefire and whether the international community can form an effective counterforce. If Iran continues to solidify control during the "ceasefire" window, the originally de-escalated agreement could instead become a trigger for the next round of escalation. #Gate广场四月发帖挑战